"Conviction" Opens Nationwide in October

The true story of Betty Anne Waters' quest to free her brother, starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell.

"Conviction," a feature film based on the true story of a fight to overturn a wrongful conviction in Massachusetts, opens in theaters nationwide next month.

The movie, starring Hilary Swank (above left) as Betty Anne Waters, along with Sam Rockwell (above right), Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo, Minnie Driver and Peter Gallagher as Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck, is already gathering strong reviews. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival this month, where Swank said Waters is her "real life hero." The film went on to win best picture and best actor (Sam Rockwell) at the Boston Film Festival.

Visit our website to find a free advance screening in your area and national release dates and to watch the trailer, exclusive clips from the film, interviews with Hilary Swank and Betty Anne Waters and more. And help us spread the word about this moving film by emailing the trailer to your friends.

Learn more about Kenny Waters’ case and the film here.

Investigation of Texas Arson Case Intensifies

Court Will Review Willingham Case Next Week

Texas officials called this month for a deeper investigation into the forensic evidence used to convict Cameron Todd Willingham of setting the fire that killed his three daughters in 1991. Willingham claimed innocence and several renowned arson experts have said the science used to convict him was faulty.

A Texas state judge will hold a two-day hearing next week in response to a request from the Innocence Project and the Texas law firm Goldstein, Goldstein and Hilley to hold a Court of Inquiry in Willingham's case. The Innocence Project requested the Court of Inquiry in an effort to get to the truth of what happened in this case.

At a meeting in Dallas on September 17, the Texas Forensic Science Commission discussed a proposed report that would have found no forensic negligence or misconduct in the case. The panel declined to approve the draft report, however, with commissioners saying they wanted to hear from arson experts who have reviewed the case.

Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck said the draft report showed TFSC Chairman John Bradley’s "reluctant and secretive" direction of the investigation, and called on the commission to return to its open and thorough investigation of the case. Read more.

On October 19, the season premiere of PBS’ “Frontline” will feature the Willingham case.

The Willingham case has brought the issue of questionable arson convictions to the national spotlight, and other arson convictions are under review from Boston to Los Angeles.

Prosecutors Crossing the Line

Studies Find Hundreds of Cases of Prosecutorial Misconduct

Prosecutorial misconduct is a major factor in wrongful convictions, playing a role in at least 65 of the first 255 DNA exoneration cases. Two new studies point to the prevalence of negligence and deliberate misconduct by state and federal prosecutors, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in a case arguing that defendants should be able to hold cities liable for failing to properly train prosecutors.

A USA Today investigation this month looked at more than 200 criminal cases where judges determined that federal prosecutors had violated laws or ethics rules. The report finds a "pattern of glaring misconduct" and scant records of any punishment doled out to prosecutors who broke laws or ethics rules.

An Innocence Project report released last month looks at the first 255 DNA exonerations and reveals that courts found misconduct in one-quarter of the cases.

Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Connick v. Thompson, which focuses on the right to hold prosecutors' offices lliable for causing wrongful convictions through a failure to properly train prosecutors.

Two Days Left: Help Us Fund DNA Testing

A single DNA test can overturn an injustice and change a life. A single test can lead police to the real perpetrator of a crime, and it can point to underlying causes of injustice.

This month, we’re asking for support to help fund DNA testing for our clients, and we’re just $9,428 from reaching our goal of $25,000. Please donate today -- 100% of your donation will fund DNA testing for Innocence Project clients.

Testing in the average Innocence Project case costs about $5,000, and we currently have more than 270 active cases. We are committed to conducting DNA testing in every case where it can overturn a possible wrongful conviction. Will you help us fight injustice?

Please give today.

Why I Give: A Donor Profile

Lina Alvarez
Attorney
Scottsdale, Arizona

When I received an email earlier this month about the Innocence Project’s campaign to raise $25,000 for DNA testing, I immediately clicked on the link and made a donation. I’ve supported this work for years and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give, with 100% of gifts by September 30 going directly to DNA testing for Innocence Project clients.

More than 250 people have been exonerated across the U.S. and the Innocence Project has made powerful strides to prevent future injustice. These lawyers don’t argue for a particular client -- they advocate for the truth. For this reason, I find it shocking when they meet resistance in their cases. When Innocence Project lawyers present a case where a DNA test would definitively prove guilt or innocence, and they can offer to pay for all tests -- it should be a no-brainer. There should be nothing stopping the state from agreeing to the tests. The results could free an innocent person and point to the real perpetrator, and I’m proud that my donation will help make this possible.

Prisoners are perhaps the most invisible people in our society -- and some of them shouldn’t be there. The Innocence Project gives a voice to these forgotten people, and helps to fix a broken system. They deserve our support.

Please join me in helping to pay for a DNA test today.