Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 The event started -1276 days ago

6:00 PM 8:00 PM

Online

To date, there have been 375 DNA exonerations in the United States since 1989.  These cases have disproportionately affected African Americans; the breakdown of racial demographics among these exonerations show:

  • 225 (60%) African American
  • 117 (31%) Caucasian
  • 29 (8%) Latinx
  • 2 (1%) Asian American
  • 1 (<1%) Native American
  • 1 (<1%) Self-identified “Other”

Prior to exoneration, these individuals served prison time at an alarming average of 14 years - with the average age at incarceration being under 27 and an average age at exoneration of 43 years old.  Could you imagine losing that much time of your life for a crime you didn’t commit?  How about serving time with the anticipation of being put to death for a crime you didn’t commit?  For 21 of these individuals, this was their reality.

Fortunately, wonderful organizations such as the Innocence Project exist to right these wrongs and fight for those that have been victimized by shady practices and people within the criminal justice system.

 

On Tuesday, September 29 from 6-8pm, the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will host a virtual speaker and discussion panel featuring members of the Innocence Project.  We will hear from real-life exoneree, Huwe Burton - who in 1991 was wrongfully convicted of murdering his own mother at the young age of 16. Mr. Burton served 19 years in prison until his exoneration through the help and hard work of the legal defense team at the Innocence Project. His story, like so many others, deserves to be told and should serve as a stark reminder that justice is not always “innocent until proven guilty” - sometimes you are guilty before proven innocent.

 

Virtual seating is limited and registration is required.  Click this link to register. 

 

(Source: Innocence Project)

Details

Category
Conference/Lecture
department
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Audience
Students, Faculty and Staff, Alumni

Contact

Karessa Acosta Lee 256.824.2332 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Venue

More Dates

  SHARE