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In October 2007, IPNO began publishing exodus, a semi-annual
free newsletter. The first volume came with a full color 11”
x 17” poster. To receive the newsletter, email your mailing
address to newsletter@ip-no.org.
On December 20, 2006, Travis Hayes was finally released from
prison after serving nearly ten years for a crime he did not
commit.. Click here for more details of Travis'
case>>.
Cedric Willis is exonerated and released after spending twelve
years in
prison in Mississippi for a crime he did not commit. Click
here for
more details of Cedric's case>>.
Compensation for the wrongfully convicted
statute passed in Louisiana
IPNO is delighted to report that a Compensation Bill for
the Wrongfully Convicted was passed for Louisiana in June
2005. This bill recognizes the travesty of wrongful conviction
and creates a process by which exonerees can be compensated
for their time lost behind bars. Barry Gerharz, IPNO's exoneree
advocate, testified at all the committee hearings and worked
as an expert advisor to the sponsor of the bill, Representative
Cedric Glover. Barry and individual exonerees were able to
educate the bill's authors and supporters regarding the struggles
of the wrongfully convicted in adjusting to life in the free
world upon release.
Evidence of Travis Hayes's false confession
is finally heard in Court
Travis Hayes and Ryan Matthews were just seventeen years
old when they were charged with capital murder in Jefferson
Parish. Ryan was sentenced to death and Travis Hayes to life.
The progress in their cases illustrates the disparity of resources
and judicial attention meted out to those sentenced to life
without parole rather than death, as well as the risks attendant
upon police interviews of teenagers without counsel or a parent
present.
Ryan's case was taken up by a death penalty defense office
after his conviction, and with the catalyst of an impending
execution, urgent investigation was conducted. This led to
the discovery of DNA evidence that linked the ski mask used
in the murder to another man, Rondell Love, who is currently
serving a sentence for a separate homicide. Rondell Love has
confessed to numerous people about committing the Vanhoose
murder, and is not an associate of either Ryan or Travis.
Ryan was released in 2004, "in the interests of justice."
However, had IPNO not intervened, Travis Hayes's case would
not have received proper review, as he would not have been
able to marshal the evidence that points to his innocence.
Travis, who suffers from a low IQ and little formal education,
would never have been able to file a technically acceptable
petition, or indeed investigate his own case from behind bars.
Now, thanks to a 120 page brief filed by IPNO on Travis'
behalf, it appears that relief may be in sight for Travis
Hayes, as hearings addressing his innocence have now commenced
in the district court.
In March 2005, IPNO annexed the Travis Hayes Freedom Run
to the popular Crescent City Classic in New Orleans. Marathon
participants donned striking white T-shirts emblazoned with
the words "FREE TRAVIS HAYES," provoking much curious
attention along the route. Ryan Matthews, participated in
the Freedom Run, together with members of his and Travis'
families.
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| Ryan Matthews takes to
the streets in the Travis Hayes Freedom Run on behalf
of his equally innocent co-defendant Travis Hayes, who
is still behind bars. |
From 2005:
The Times-Picayune, 2/5/05. "Charges
in '84 rape case dropped" by Meghan Gordon discusses
the exoneration of Dennis Brown.
Chicago Tribune, 2/17/05. "You
can't always believe what you think you see" by Steve
Chapman discusses Dennis Brown and the role of mistaken identifications
in wrongful convictions.
The Times-Picayune, 3/1/05. "Jailed
man closer to release" by Paul Purpura discusses
a recent ruling in the Travis Hayes case.
The Times-Picayune, 3/12/05. "From
Jail to Joy" by Keith O'Brien talks about recent
exoneree Michael Williams.
The LSU Daily Reveille, 3/14/05. "The
Price of Freedom" discusses the case of Michael Williams,
who was exonerated in March after serving 26 years at Angola.
From 2004:
New Orleans City Life, 3/1/04. Article by Denise Trowbridge
spotlights case of Greg Bright and Earl Truvia.
The Times-Picayune, 10/10/04. "A
Forgotten Man" by Michael Perlstein discusses the
case of Travis Hayes in light of the recent release of his
co-defendant Ryan Matthews from death row.
From 2003:
Gambit Weekly, 3/4/03. "Name
Dropping" by Katy Reckdahl features the case of Dan
Bright and the role of the FBI in his delayed exoneration.
Gambit Weekly, 5/13/03. "New
Trials" by Katy Reckdahl discusses the exoneration
of Ryan Matthews and the continued incarceration of his co-defendant
Travis Hayes.
Clarion-Ledger (MS), 7/21/03. "Man Adjusts to Freedom
After 27 Years" features an interview with Greg Bright.
Gambit Weekly, 12/16/03. "Jurors
Dismissed" by Katy Reckdahl highlights the role of
Kathleen Hawk Norman, the jury foreperson in Dan Bright's
case, in his exoneration.
From 2002:
Gambit Weekly, 6/24/02. "When
Seeing is Not Believing" by Katy Reckdahl discusses
IPNO's role in the exonerations of Dwight Labran, Greg Bright,
and Earl Truvia.
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