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Georgia Innocence Project, founded in 2002, works to correct and prevent wrongful convictions in Georgia and to bring wrongfully incarcerated people home.

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Sweet Freedom 2026

Exonerated man looks to rebuild after 16 years of lost time in prison

Man spent 21 years in prison for murder he didn’t commit: ‘I was never going to give up’

Georgia man released after being wrongfully incarcerated for over 20 years

Atlanta man freed after two decades behind bars for crime he didn’t commit

A letter from a Georgia man convicted of murder led prosecutors to reexamine his case – and right their 20-year wrong

Exonerating the falsely accused

Atlanta man freed after DNA evidence overturns 2008 murder conviction

Kristin Nelson Verrill

Tiffany Bush

Shlomit Cohen

Mike Coszalter

Christina Cribbs

Ron Grosse

Jennifer Jourdan

Bailey McGovern

Veronica O'Grady

Wajiha Tamkeen

Michele Thompson

Calvin C. Johnson Jr.

Congratulations to Marquez on getting his driver’s license! Marquez spent nearly 21 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. A license is more than a card in his wallet; it is the freedom to get to work, to appointments, and to the people he loves, on his own terms. Through Georgia Innocent Project’s Reentry & Long-Term Support Services, he's rebuilding his life one step at a time. Proud of you, Marquez.

Clarence Harrison, Georgia Innocence Project's first exoneree, exercised his right to vote (early)! Today, November 3, is Georgia's General Election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find more information at https://georgia.gov/vote-in-person-election-day.

Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP @kilpatrick-townsend-stockton-llp is working with us to develop AI prompts to use in early-stage case evaluation/screening, so our team can evaluate more applications sooner. Thank you to Tamara Serwer Caldas @tamara-serwer-caldas-1a49bb155, Pro Bono Partner, and every pro bono volunteer, past and present, at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP for supporting Georgia Innocence Project’s mission to correct and prevent wrongful convictions in Georgia.

Troutman Pepper Locke LLP supported our business process analysis with Apparo and their eMerge team. Troutman Pepper Locke LLP was recently honored at the Impact Awards for this work. Congratulations! Thank you to Sarah Bennett Bures, Pro Bono Director & Counsel, and all of the current and former pro bono volunteers at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP who make this critical work possible. Read more at the link in our bio.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough is co-counsel for Jamichael Mayes, whose story we shared on October 16, and supports our Case Screening Project. Thank you to Elisa Kodish, Pro Bono Partner, and every pro bono volunteer, past and present, at Nelson Mullins for dedicating their time and expertise to correcting and preventing wrongful convictions in Georgia. Learn about Jamichael's case at the link in our bio.

Alston & Bird is co-counsel on Erik Heard's case and supports our Case Screening Project. Thank you to Mary Benton, Pro Bono Partner; Darcy McLean, Director of Pro Bono and Community Engagement; and every pro bono volunteer, past and present, at Alston & Bird for sharing their time and expertise with Georgia Innocence Project. Learn about Erik's case at the link in our bio.

Before a wrongful conviction can be overturned, someone has to find the trial transcript. King & Spalding is helping us do exactly that through our Transcript Retrieval Project, and also supports our Case Screening Project. The firm was co-counsel on Dennis Perry's case. Thank you to Radha Manthe, Pro Bono Deputy; Joshua Toll, Pro Bono Partner; and every pro bono volunteer, past and present, at King & Spalding who makes this work possible. We are so grateful!

Eversheds Sutherland was co-counsel on Sonny Bharadia's case, and the firm's pro bono team produced a video telling his story and the work behind his freedom. Thank you to John Fleming; Aileen Crowson, Chief Responsible Business and Pro Bono Practice Officer; Harmony Jones, Pro Bono Counsel; and every pro bono volunteer, past and present, at Eversheds Sutherland. Your time and expertise make our mission possible. Watch Sonny's video at the link in our bio.

At this year's NRI Stories event, Sonny Bharadia was presented with a painting of a phoenix rising from the ashes, a symbol of his story. NRI Pulse covered Sonny's journey after 8,393 days behind bars. We're grateful to the reporters and everyone who amplifies the voices of freed community members in the fight against wrongful incarceration.

Tiffany Bush, our Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney, works with pro bono lawyers and legal professionals to screen cases and help move them toward exoneration or other resolution. She recently presented on wrongful convictions and pro bono opportunities at a MENA Meet Up hosted by Akerman [tag]. We could not do this life-changing work without Tiffany, our pro bono volunteers, and supporters like you. Next week is National Pro Bono Week, and we'll be recognizing the firms whose pro bono partnership makes our work possible. Stay tuned.

Our peer mentors John, Sonny, and Clarence wrapped up their pilot training with a three-day @healing_justice Retreat in Virginia, alongside freed people and crime survivors from across the country. The retreat focused on healing and trauma-recovery practices as well as peer mentorship and engagement training. All three left as official Healing Justice Peer Ambassadors, with new tools and skills to bring home to Georgia's freed community. Congratulations, John, Sonny, and Clarence!

What does it take to investigate an innocence case? Ron Grosse, our Senior Investigator, has one phone call he'll never forget. In this month's blog post, "Figuring Out What Happened: Inside an Innocence Investigation," Ron shares how an innocence investigation works and how you can help correct and prevent wrongful convictions. Read it at the link in our bio.

He went to prison in his 20s. Today, he’s 51. October 16th marks 25 years since Jamichael Mayes was arrested for a crime he did not commit. He is serving life without parole. From Hancock State Prison, he writes about watching his parents grow older, his nieces and nephews growing up without him, and the exhaustion of spending decades fighting to have his case heard. His current legal fight has been working its way through the courts for more than two years, and his latest request has been before the Georgia Supreme Court for more than a year. The Court recently ordered the Attorney General's Office to respond, and the AG has filed its opposition. Learn about Jamichael's case at the link in our bio. (Pictured: Jamichael, far right, with his parents.)

The Sing Sing Chronicles (NBC News-produced, Trilogy Films-directed, Emmy®-winning series for Best Documentary based on decades of investigative reporting from Dateline NBC producer Dan Slepian) raises public awareness of wrongful convictions, prosecutorial misconduct, barriers to reentry, and the urgent need for criminal legal system reform. Jeffrey Blake, freed community member, and Mike Coszalter, our Senior People and Programs Officer, attended a special screening hosted by the Rollins School of Public Health and the Center for the Health of Incarcerated Persons at Emory University. It was great to connect with Innocence Network friends Jon-Adrian JJ Velazquez and Geri Leigh Tiu, who are featured in the film. Thank you, Emory!

Our fall campaign is underway, and we are so grateful for the support so far. Thank you! A generous donor is matching every gift dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. If you haven't given yet, your gift will go twice as far in helping make freedom possible for someone still waiting. Double your impact at the link in our bio.

Sonny Bharadia, wrongfully incarcerated for over 22 years, recently spoke to undergraduate students in a Georgia State University course on wrongful convictions, co-taught by Christina Cribbs, our Litigation Director, and Mary Dayton, current co-counsel and former intern. We're lucky to work with such amazing people. Georgia Innocence Project could not do this life-changing work without the efforts of interns, volunteers, and supporters like you. Thank you!

Christina Cribbs (Litigation Director), Kristin Nelson Verrill (Executive Director), and Veronica O’Grady (Senior Attorney) attended another House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee meeting on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation. Comments from Georgia Innocence Project explained how making changes to the post-conviction legal landscape could lessen some of the burdens that our clients face when trying to get back into court to prove their innocence. Watch the video at youtube.com/watch?v=UAdeC4lPhrA.

Today is the 13th annual international Wrongful Conviction Day! Around the world, Innocence Network organizations are coming together to raise awareness, recognize the immense costs of wrongful conviction, and advocate for reforms. Join us online today from 12-1 pm ET, and hear from Clarence Harrison, freed community member, who spent more than 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He’ll talk about his experience, our work, and how you can help free the estimated 2,000+ innocent people still in Georgia prisons. #WrongfulConvictionDay https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82140342935?pwd=VcgEHIbrHThx57Zclet20BjWYntQLZ.1

Join us online this Friday, October 2, 12-1 pm ET, for Wrongful Conviction Day. John White, freed community member, spent more than 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He’ll talk about his experience, our work, and how you can help free the estimated 2,000+ innocent people still in Georgia prisons. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82140342935?pwd=VcgEHIbrHThx57Zclet20BjWYntQLZ.1

In Georgia, the legal system is heavily weighted against people who are wrongfully convicted. Dennis Perry fought it for more than 20 years before he came home. Many of our applicants have endured decades in prison. Their direct appeals are exhausted, and their options for relief shrink daily. Overturning a wrongful conviction takes years of staff, pro bono, and community effort. As Dennis put it: "That's what it takes to, I mean, just put a big puzzle back together…Everybody had something different to do." Right now, every gift to Georgia Innocence Project is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Will you support the fight for freedom, piece by piece? $25 funds monthly support meetings for the freed community. $50 buys postage for 61 letters to incarcerated applicants. $100 covers travel to visit innocent clients in prison. $500 covers a trial transcript for one applicant. Give today through the link in our bio.

The Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund is the Rising in Community Excellence (RICE) Foundation's Non-Profit of the Year! What an inspiring and fun event celebrating those dedicated to serving the Atlanta community. Gratitude to Dr. C. Chandon Carter, Attorney Brian Poe, and all of the organizers. And thank you to everyone who voted, shared, and helped shine a light on Calvin's legacy and the Memorial Fund's work helping freed community members in Georgia rebuild their lives. This award belongs to all of you. We're so grateful. @riceawards #riceawards2026 Photo 1: Tara Johnson Burkett, Kristin Nelson Verrill, Judith C. Johnson Photo 2: RICE Non-Profit of The Year Award Photo 3: Judith, Dr. @icarter_lhd (Founder & CEO of RICE Awards Foundation), Tara Photo 4: Eric V. Hill, Judith, @attybrianpoe of @gainjuryattorneys (Chairman of the Board for the RICE Awards Foundation), Tara Photo 5: @vincethevoice, Judith, Eric, Tara Photo 6: The event was a “Sneaker Ball,” and Tara won a $500 prize for the Memorial Fund with her sneakers!

We've moved! Georgia Innocence Project has a new home in the Georgia Bar Building at 104 Marietta St NW, Suite 440, Atlanta, GA 30303. Our new office is still under renovation, and we can't wait to welcome you once it's ready. In the meantime, mail is being forwarded from the Hurt Building, but please update your records with the new address so nothing gets lost along the way. More to come, including photos, once the dust settles.

His family calls him Papa Sunshine. After more than 20 years of wrongful incarceration, Dennis Perry is finally home with his wife Brenda and their grandkids and great-grandkids. These days, Papa Sunshine spends his time caring for two elderly friends: driving them to appointments, running errands, helping with whatever they need. This is what freedom looks like for Dennis. Being with family. Caring for friends. Deciding how to spend his own day. Right now, every gift to Georgia Innocence Project is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. You can help make freedom possible for someone else: $25 funds monthly support meetings for the freed community. $50 buys postage for 61 letters to incarcerated applicants. $100 covers travel to visit innocent clients in prison. $500 covers a trial transcript for one applicant. Give today through the link in our bio.

Last day to vote! Help the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund win Non-Profit of the Year from the Rising in Community Excellence (RICE) Foundation. The Memorial Fund supports critical reentry services that help freed community members in Georgia rebuild their lives. Voting closes today. It's free, and anyone, anywhere can vote. Vote now at the link in our bio, then share with your community. @riceawards #RICEAwards2026

Sonny Bharadia spent 22 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He knew Calvin Johnson before he knew the Fund named for him: Calvin visited Hays State Prison in 2006, and his words stayed with Sonny for the years that followed. Today, the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund helps Sonny and other freed people with what reentry actually requires: therapy, phones, rides, housing. The Fund is a finalist for RICE Awards Non-Profit of the Year. Vote every day through Monday, September 21 at the link in bio. #RICEAwards2026

Four days left to vote. The Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund supports critical reentry services that help freed community members in Georgia rebuild their lives, and it's been nominated for Non-Profit of the Year by the Rising in Community Excellence (RICE) Foundation. Voting closes September 21. It's free, anyone, anywhere can vote, and you can vote once every 24 hours. Vote today at the link in our bio, then share with your community. @riceawards #riceawards2026

Wrongful conviction stole more than 20 years from Dennis Perry. His grandmother, mother, and father all passed away while he was in prison. But he never lost his faith or his connection to home. His wife Brenda drove to see him every weekend. She kept showing up, and so did other people who believed him. Today, Dennis is finally home with Brenda and their family. But so many others are still waiting for someone to show up for them. Right now, every gift to Georgia Innocence Project is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. You can show up and help give someone else the chance to come home like Dennis: $25 funds monthly support meetings for the freed community. $50 buys postage for 61 letters to incarcerated applicants. $100 covers travel to visit innocent clients in prison. $500 covers a trial transcript for one applicant. Give today through the link in our bio.

The Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund has been nominated for Non-Profit of the Year by the Rising in Community Excellence (RICE) Foundation, and you can help it win. Voting is open September 7–21; it's free, and anyone, anywhere can vote once every 24 hours. On June 15, 1999, Calvin Johnson walked out of prison after 16 years of wrongful incarceration. DNA testing cleared his name, making him the first person in Georgia exonerated by DNA evidence. Represented by the Innocence Project in New York, Calvin became a steadfast partner of Georgia Innocence Project from our founding in 2002, and the Memorial Fund honors his leadership in the organization and the freed community. Vote today, and every day through September 21, at the link in our bio. Then share this with your community. @riceawards #RICEAwards2026

A new analysis from Georgia Prisoners Speak, "The Board That Stopped Saying Yes: Georgia's Lifer Parole Collapse, in Its Own Numbers," shows the parole grant rate for people serving life sentences has fallen sharply, at the same time strict time limits are closing the courthouse door on habeas claims. For innocent people in Georgia's prisons, that means fewer paths home. As the authors put it: "A board that grants five percent and a court system that clocks out at four years are, together, a simple message to fifty thousand people and their families about how Georgia understands redemption." Read the full piece at the link in our bio.

The Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund has been nominated for Non-Profit of the Year by the Rising in Community Excellence (RICE) Foundation! Calvin was the first person in Georgia exonerated by DNA evidence, and the Memorial Fund honors his leadership in the freed community. Voting is open today until September 21; it's free, and anyone, anywhere, can vote once every 24 hours. Vote today at the link in our bio, then share this with your community. @riceawards #RICEAwards2026

Dennis Perry spent more than 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. His legal fight for freedom took sixteen years, alongside co-counsel @kingspalding and @ajcnews journalist Joshua Sharpe. In 2020, Georgia Innocence Project conducted new DNA testing that proved his innocence. Dennis was released that year and exonerated in 2021. Today, Dennis is home. But other innocent people are still waiting to be free. Right now, every gift to Georgia Innocence Project is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Your gift pieces a case together and helps someone rebuild their life: $25 funds monthly support meetings for the freed community. $50 buys postage for 61 letters to incarcerated applicants. $100 covers travel to visit innocent clients in prison. $500 covers a trial transcript for one applicant. Give today through the link in our bio.

Our Executive Director, Kristin Nelson Verrill, attended @frazierdeeter's Atlanta Women in Business Luncheon @5churchbuckhead with Victoria Braden @vjbraden of Oakbridge Insurance–Employee Benefits, pictured left. We came away inspired and energized by the panelists: @allisonpadillagoodman of @givingkitchen, @derettacolerhodes of @braves, and Shawn Meredith of @relyonpdi, along with a room full of leaders building strong organizations across the city. Grateful for the connections and conversations!

Meet Sonny, Clarence, and John, our inaugural peer mentors. New this year, Georgia Innocence Project is piloting a Peer Mentorship Program led by freed community leaders, and these three just signed their contracts to make it official. The lived expertise of the freed community has shaped our priorities from the beginning. We regularly consult justice-impacted members on programming and decisions, from development campaigns to reentry services to policy advocacy. They were a driving force behind the landmark Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Act that took effect in Georgia in 2025. You can support our reentry services through the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund. Learn more at the link in our bio.

Happy 22nd Freedom Anniversary, Clarence Harrison! On this day in 2004, Clarence was exonerated and freed from prison after serving 17 years for a crime he did not commit. Today, he continues to share his story in the community to advocate for others who are still wrongfully incarcerated. Here's a photo of his recent presentation at The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Emory. If you would like to hold a presentation at your organization, school, or community group, please visit link in bio.

Christina Cribbs (Litigation Director), Kristin Nelson Verrill (Executive Director), and Veronica O'Grady (Senior Attorney) attended, and offered comment at, the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation session. This legislative panel is tasked with reviewing, and potentially changing, the criminal post-conviction appeals process in Georgia. Georgia Innocence Project is following closely to ensure that lawmakers have a clearer picture of how changes to the process could affect wrongful convictions.

The Innocence Network is a global coalition of over 70 independent organizations dedicated to freeing innocent people and preventing wrongful convictions. Although we are separate and individual organizations, being a part of the Innocence Network affirms our shared values, and allows us to connect, collaborate, and learn with one another. The freed individuals in attendance at the 2026 Innocence Network Conference collectively lost over 6,832 years of their lives to wrongful conviction. We cried, we laughed, we left inspired to continue this important work with strengthened strategies, tools, and friendships. Georgia Innocence Project staff was honored to present at several breakout sessions ranging from "HR Affinity Groups" to "Navigating Organizational Growth". Thank you, Innocence Network. We can't wait until next year! Photo credit: Jennifer Watkins / Lyra Photography #InnocenceConference @innocencenetwork

At the end of July, Georgia Innocence Project's Veronica O'Grady, Senior Attorney, and Christina Cribbs, Litigation Director, went on Georgia Focus, an iHeart podcast, with host John Clark to discuss official misconduct and Brady claims, and how those claims play a role in our cases. The episode is slated for release in about a month. Until then, learn about some of our active cases at link in bio.

For over 20 years, Marquez Powell fought for his freedom. He wrote to Fulton County Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate his wrongful conviction. Through their investigation, they obtained newly discovered DNA test results that provided further support that Marquez was innocent. He was exonerated and released in June. Gratitude to Santo of @dileofilms for capturing this momentous day on video.

Thank you to Lucy, Cynthia, Veronica, Reauna, Raima, and Nadia, Georgia Innocence Project's summer 2026 interns. We're grateful for your dedication and wish you all the best! Interns are crucial to our work to correct and prevent wrongful convictions in Georgia. Here's a photo of some of the summer interns and staff during a July tour of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Headquarters for a behind-the-scenes look at how forensic science is used in the criminal legal system. From Forensic Biology to Trace Evidence, the visit was an eye-opening opportunity to learn directly about the tools, challenges, and impact of forensic work. Thank you to the GBI Crime Lab for welcoming us! If you're a student looking for internship opportunities, reach out to gip@georgiainnocenceproject.org for more information.

We are excited to welcome Bailey McGovern as a 2026-2028 Equal Justice Works Fellow at Georgia Innocence Project, sponsored by the Georgia Bar Foundation! She will support our initiatives to leverage generative AI technology in assessing official misconduct and engage in community-based policy advocacy. We are grateful for this opportunity to add another talented legal member to the team. Happy first week at Georgia Innocence Project, Bailey! Learn more about the program at equaljusticeworks.org.

We’re thrilled to welcome two new members to Georgia Innocence Project's Board of Directors, Melissa Fox and Ashley Thompson! Melissa Fox is a Partner at Eversheds Sutherland. She is a solutions-oriented advisor, helping companies minimize risk and representing clients in class actions and commercial litigation. Melissa helps clients in emerging industries and those launching novel technologies navigate regulatory uncertainty and operate under evolving laws and regulations. Ashley Thompson is a strategic communications leader specializing in media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management. She currently serves as a Senior Lead Advisor in public relations for a national consumer brand, where she supports local and national media relations efforts and advises on communications during complex and high-profile situations. We are grateful for Melissa and Ashley's commitment to joining the fight against wrongful convictions in Georgia. Join us in welcoming Melissa and Ashley!

Georgia Innocence Project's Sweet Freedom at The Solarium brought together an incredible community of supporters, advocates, and partners for an afternoon dedicated to advancing justice in Georgia. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, attendees, and everyone who made the celebration possible. Your support extends far beyond a single event, it helps sustain this work every day. Because of your generosity, the Georgia Innocence Project can continue investigating wrongful conviction claims, providing legal representation to innocent people seeking freedom, and advancing reforms that help prevent wrongful convictions in the future. If you weren't able to join us, there's still an opportunity to make an impact. Every donation helps the Georgia Innocence Project continue fighting for freedom and fairness. Visit link in bio for more info. Gratitude to Santo Dileo of @dileofilms for capturing this fun day in a video!

For over 20 years, Marquez Powell fought for his freedom. He wrote to Fulton County Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate his wrongful conviction. Through their investigation, they obtained newly discovered DNA test results that provided further support that Marquez was innocent. He was exonerated and released last month. Help him rebuild his life through his private GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/support-marquez-powell. Gratitude to @janethowardstudio for capturing this momentous day.

To celebrate his Freedom Anniversary, Sonny Bharadia and Georgia Innocence Project staff went to Six Flags. “When I go do things like hiking, it might seem small. But those are dreams of mine that I’m fulfilling. You don't know how special that is to me. These are dreams I had in prison and guess what? Now I get to do it.” - Sonny Bharadia Read about Sonny's exoneration on our blog at link in bio.

Georgia Innocence Project, along with co-counsel at Alston & Bird and the Mercer Habeas Project, filed an appeal to ask the Supreme Court of Georgia to review the habeas court’s denial of Erik Heard's petition. Erik has spent more than 17 years wrongfully incarcerated for a murder he did not commit. There is no set timeframe for the Supreme Court of Georgia to make a decision about whether they will hear the appeal. This initial decision can take a year, or longer, in most cases. Erik’s case is an example of the enormous amount of time and resources that can be required to free innocent people from wrongful convictions under Georgia’s current criminal legal system. Erik and his legal team are determined to continue the fight for his freedom. Read more about Erik's case at link in bio.

July 19th marks Dennis Perry’s 5th Freedom Anniversary! Exonerated in 2021, Dennis lost 21 years to a wrongful conviction for a double murder he didn't commit. Today, he enjoys time with his wife Brenda and their extended family including five great grandkids. Learn more about his case at link in bio.

This July, we’re celebrating the second anniversary of the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund! In 1999, Calvin became Georgia’s first individual to be exonerated through DNA evidence after spending 16 years wrongfully incarcerated. In freedom, he led a life full of advocacy, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to justice for the wrongfully convicted. When Calvin passed away in 2023, we worked with his family to find a meaningful way to carry his spirit and legacy forward. We quickly knew supporting Calvin's fellow community of freed and exonerated Georgians was the way to do so. The Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund provides essential support specifically to freed and exonerated individuals and their families, including financial assistance, healthcare and housing support, community-building opportunities, and more. Help honor Calvin’s legacy by supporting those rebuilding their lives after wrongful convictions through a gift to the Calvin C. Johnson, Jr. Memorial Fund this summer: https://www.georgiainnocenceproject.org/act/donate.

Georgia Innocence Project's Sweet Freedom at The Solarium brought together an incredible community of supporters united by a shared belief that every person deserves a fair and just legal system. The outstanding turnout reflected a collective commitment to the Georgia Innocence Project's mission of freeing the wrongfully convicted. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and donation made helps us investigate wrongful conviction claims, advocate for those seeking justice, and advance meaningful reforms that strengthen the integrity of Georgia's criminal legal system. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, attendees, and everyone who helped make the afternoon such a success. Your generosity fuels this work. If you weren't able to join us, there's still an opportunity to make an impact. Every donation helps the Georgia Innocence Project continue fighting for freedom and fairness. Visit link in bio for more info. Gratitude to Tyrae of TCam Productions for capturing this fun day. @tcamproductions

Kristin Nelson Verrill, Executive Director, and Christina Cribbs, Litigation Director, attended the Innocence Policy Network Symposium in Nashville. The event focused on policy updates, law enforcement’s impact on innocence work, and addressing post-conviction barriers. They enjoyed sessions about collaboration with advocates, media strategies, and federal updates.

ACTIVE CASE UPDATE: This spring, Georgia Innocence Project along with pro bono co-counsel Alston & Bird filed a habeas corpus petition based on a Brady violation, seeking to overturn Jimmy Pontoon's wrongful conviction. We are awaiting the court’s ruling. Jimmy Pontoon was wrongfully convicted in 1984 for a rape in Augusta, Georgia, that he did not commit. From the beginning, and now for more than 40 years, Jimmy has fought to prove his innocence. Read about his active case at link in bio.

On July 1, 2025, the landmark Wrongful Conviction and Incarceration Compensation Act, a more just and reliable path for exonerees to gain compensation, went into effect in Georgia. We have been working diligently to ensure that this new law is being implemented appropriately, and our clients have access to trained pro bono attorneys. This milestone was the result of tireless advocacy from many, bipartisan leadership, and exonerated individuals who shared their experiences to drive change. Read more at link in bio.

The Innocence Network Conference in Chicago this past April was great! Innocence organizations and community members from around the world gathered to connect, share information, and learn. The freed individuals in attendance collectively lost over 6,832 years of their lives to wrongful conviction. We cried, we laughed, we left inspired to continue this important work with strengthened strategies, tools, and friendships. #InnocenceConference @innocencenetwork

Shoutout to Atlanta Tech Bank, a new local nonprofit that refurbishes technology, for donating to Georgia Innocence Project! Through our Reentry and Long-term Support Services, technology will be shared with members of the freed community like Clifton to pursue their goals. If you'd like to learn about different ways you can support us, please visit link in bio.

Georgia Innocence Project is dedicated to correcting and preventing wrongful convictions in Georgia. This critical work is only possible because of our dedicated supporters. If you'd like to learn about different ways you can be involved, please visit link in bio.

After fighting his wrongful incarceration for nearly 21 years, Marquez Powell was finally fully exonerated and free on June 18, 2026! Marquez Powell was wrongfully convicted in 2008 for a murder in Atlanta, Georgia, that he did not commit. He was only 20 years old when the State alleged that he participated in a plan to rob his best friend who was fatally shot by someone else. We are elated to welcome Marquez into Georgia's community of innocent freed and exonerated people.

Today marks the 27th anniversary of Calvin C. Johnson Jr.'s freedom! On June 15, 1999, Calvin Johnson was released from prison after 16 years of wrongful incarceration after DNA testing cleared his name. Represented by The Innocence Project in New York, Calvin was the first person in Georgia to be exonerated using DNA evidence. Calvin soon became a steadfast partner of Georgia Innocence Project when we were founded in 2002. Join us in honoring Calvin's Freedom Anniversary with a gift to his memorial fund which provides reentry support to fellow freed Georgians. Link in bio.

We are excited to announce that Bailey McGovern has been selected for a 2026-2028 @ejw_org Fellowship at Georgia Innocence Project, sponsored by the Georgia Bar Foundation! This coming fall 2026, she will support our initiatives to leverage generative AI technology in assessing official misconduct and engage in community-based policy advocacy. We are grateful for this opportunity to add another talented legal member to the team. Congratulations, Bailey! Learn more about the program at equaljusticeworks.org.

Thank you to our amazing community for attending Georgia Innocence Project’s inaugural Sweet Freedom! What a joyful afternoon to be together, honoring Georgia’s freed community, and supporting the work to free innocent people in Georgia. Thanks to many generous supporters, we raised over $34,000 to support the continued work of correcting and preventing wrongful convictions in Georgia! We’re grateful to everyone who made this special event possible. Stay tuned for more photos in the coming weeks!

Tiffany Bush, Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney at Georgia Innocence Project, facilitated the 'BIPOC Staff Leadership Retreat' and 'Searching for Synergy: Abolitionist Community within the Innocence Network' breakout session ( pictured left to right: Tiffany, John Marlow, Stephanie Spurgeon, and Marriam Oliver), at the recent IN Conference in Chicago. She had a great time connecting about BIPOC resistance in innocence space, as well as, practical solutions to incorporate into innocence work to avoid inadvertently reinforcing harms. 📷 credit: @fla_innocence

We sat down with Susan Hurd to learn more about her background, her work at Alston & Bird, and her pro bono experience supporting Georgia Innocence Project's case-screening efforts. Pro bono partners are essential to our mission. If you’re curious about what Georgia Innocence Project’s pro bono partners make possible, exploring a legal career with impact, or simply interested in the people behind our work, read our latest blog post at link in bio.

Do you have your Sweet Freedom 2026 tickets? Georgia Innocence Project’s newest event is just one week away! Last chance tickets are available now in the link in our bio!

Here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse of our legal team. The pictured Working Group meets regularly to discuss applications for assistance and to determine whether cases move forward to screening. Since our founding in 2002, we have received over 9,200 applications for assistance.

Through Georgia Innocence Project’s Reentry & Long-Term Support Services, members of the freed community like Jeffrey receive vital assistance to rebuild their lives. He began 2026 with a new job and a new place to live. Donate to provide essential services for members of the freed community in housing, job assistance, technology literacy, counseling, and more. Link in bio.

Today marks Ray White’s second Freedom Anniversary! On May 22, 2024, after 25 years of wrongful imprisonment and three years living under very restrictive parole conditions, Ray was finally able put his wrongful conviction behind him once and for all. Wishing you all the best, Ray!

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