"Raising Awareness about Wrongful Convictions and Exposing Injustice"

Have you ever had something stolen from you? Maybe something difficult to replace—your purse or wallet. You have to cancel all your credit cards and replace your driver's license—what a pain. Suppose they stole something that could never be replaced, like a family heirloom, an old coin, or the only photo of your child's first birthday. Now, imagine they not only stole something irreplaceable but also locked you in your home indefinitely with no way out. Hell on earth, right? Not even close.

Because it's not your home. It's a cell. And what they've stolen isn't just an object—it's your entire life. Your freedom. Your identity. Your very existence. And you have no idea why.

You miss your daughter's first steps. Your son's graduation. Your mother's final breath. The world moves on without you. Friends drift away. Family members age in photos you receive in the mail. Your children grow up calling someone else "Dad" or "Mom." Your spouse, despite their best intentions, eventually needs to move on. In this new reality, grief and hope become luxuries you can no longer afford because you're too busy paying a debt you never owed.

Meanwhile, you wake up every morning to the same concrete walls, the same metal bars, the same crushing reality that you're here for a crime you had nothing to do with. You try to explain, but the system that put you here—the one that promised justice but delivered anything but—isn't designed to admit its mistakes. Your appeals are denied. Your evidence motions are rejected. Your truth is dismissed. And yet, the clock keeps ticking. Twenty becomes thirty. Thirty becomes forty. You wave goodbye to your youth as it slips away under fluorescent lights, behind the razor wire. This isn't a nightmare you can wake up from; it's a living, breathing nightmare in perpetuity. Continue Reading

Who We Are

The mission of Wrongful Convictions News™ is to expose injustice through data-driven insights and powerful storytelling. We dig deep into wrongful convictions and exonerations, revealing both systemic failures and individual tragedies.

Through our investigative reporting and public education initiatives, we shine a spotlight on false convictions that have stolen years - sometimes decades - from innocent lives. We don't just share statistics; we uncover the human stories behind the numbers, amplifying voices that the system has silenced.

Our work extends beyond reporting. We actively advocate for individuals trapped by wrongful convictions while educating the public about the complex factors that create these injustices. From racial bias to prosecutorial misconduct, from flawed forensics to inadequate defense, we expose the broken mechanisms that perpetuate this crisis.

By combining rigorous analysis with compelling narratives, we're building a more informed public that demands better. Our goal isn't just to free the innocent - it's to transform a system that too often confuses conviction rates with justice. Through education, advocacy, and relentless exposure of injustice, we're working toward a future where equal justice isn't just a promise - it's a reality.

The Wrongful Convictions News Foundation™ transforms advocacy into action. Born from the understanding that exposing injustice isn't enough, we are committed to power the next phase in the fight for justice reform.

We don't just tell stories of wrongful convictions - we fight to change their endings, because in the world of wrongful convictions, the final chapter is rarely the end of the story. Through focused action and purposeful initiatives, we advocate for individuals trapped by false convictions while simultaneously pushing for systemic change. Every victory becomes a blueprint for reform, every case a catalyst for transformation.

Our foundation serves as the engine behind Wrongful Convictions News™, fueling investigations, amplifying advocacy efforts, and expanding our reach. We fund the critical work of exposing injustice, but we go further - providing resources for advocacy campaigns, supporting reform initiatives, and building networks of change-makers across the country.

This work demands more than passion - it requires sustainable funding and strategic growth. Through the foundation, we're scaling our impact, developing new advocacy tools, and building the infrastructure needed to tackle wrongful convictions at both individual and systemic levels. Every dollar invested in our foundation drives us closer to a justice system that lives up to its name.

Join Our Team

When injustice strikes, you need a voice that cuts through the noise. Submit your case for review and let WCN™ amplify your story, connect you with vital resources, and get your case the publicity it deserves.

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Ready to make a difference? Join our team, learn to write clemency letters, file FOIA requests, or master other tools for justice. From volunteer to advocate, we'll show you how to create real change.

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Be the force behind freedom. Your one-time gift or monthly donation helps us expose injustice, amplify silenced voices, and fuel the fight for freedom.

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We the Jury, a WCN true-crime podcast

Grow in Grace & Knowledge

Testimonials

"This is absolutely amazing! I love it. You have really helped us get our loved ones' names out there! Thank You!"

Donna Ewing

The Reggie Ewing Case

"Special thanks to Liz Franklin (WCN™) for keeping this movement alive. My innocent husband, John, and I continue to remain thankful to Liz and all the many others who remain in our fight for freedom."

Karen Brookins

The John Brookins Case

Peter Wlasiuk's case has been another mountain that the powerhouse advocates at WCN will be helping spread the word regarding his INNOCENCE!!!!

Heather Marie Wlasiuk

The Peter Wlasiuk Case

Every Day Counts When It's Happening to You

Every sunrise offers a new opportunity to right the wrong of a wrongful conviction. And every sunset without action marks the failure to do so. Don't let another sun set on injustice.

Become a volunteer or supporter today!

Our Heroes

Adam Braseel spent 12 years in prison and was exonerated on December 2, 2022 by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

Adnan Syed spent 23 years in prison and was exonerated on September 19, 2022 by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn.

Rodney Lincoln spent 36 years in prison and was exonerated on June 3, 2018 by Missouri Governor Eric Greitens.

Crosley Green spent 32 years in prison and was briefly exonerated in 2021, only to have his conviction reinstated in 2023.

Ronnie Long spent 44 years in prison. He was exonerated on December 17, 2020 by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Vincent Simmons spent 44 years in prison and was exonerated on December 22, 2021 by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.

The Price of Justice Delayed

Three faces. Three stories. Three lives cut short while caught in the grinding wheels of America's justice system.

These men never met, but they share a common thread: each died waiting for justice. Each man's story represents a different way that time and justice (or the lack thereof) intersected with fatal consequences.

Their faces remind us that behind every case number and court filing is a human being, waiting in a cell as months turn to years, youth disappears, and time steals away the promise of tomorrow.

Some say time heals all wounds. But for these three men, time itself was the wound. Their stories stand as stark reminders of how a flawed system demands payments from the innocent for debts they never owed, collecting in the only currency that truly matters: time, freedom, and the ultimate price—life itself.

FAQ

1. What is a wrongful conviction?

A wrongful conviction occurs when a person is found guilty of a crime they did not commit. These cases often come to light through DNA evidence, new witnesses, or the discovery of misconduct in the original investigation or trial.

2. How common are wrongful convictions?

Studies estimate that between 4-6% of people incarcerated in US prisons may be innocent. With approximately 2 million people currently incarcerated, this suggests tens of thousands of innocent people may be behind bars.

3. What are the main causes of wrongful convictions?

According to the National Registry of Exonerations, the primary factors include:

Eyewitness misidentification (63% of cases)

False confessions (28% of cases)

Misapplication of forensic science

Official misconduct

Inadequate legal defense

False testimony or perjury

4. How many people have been exonerated?

The National Registry of Exonerations has documented over 3,600 exonerations in the United States since 1989. The rate of exonerations has increased significantly in recent years as DNA testing and conviction integrity units have become more prevalent.

5. What is the role of DNA in exonerations?

DNA evidence has been revolutionary in proving innocence. In cases where DNA evidence led to exoneration, the real perpetrator was identified in 75% of cases. This not only frees innocent people but helps bring actual perpetrators to justice.

6. What reforms are being implemented to prevent wrongful convictions?

Many jurisdictions are adopting reforms such as:

Improved eyewitness identification procedures
Mandatory recording of interrogations
Enhanced forensic science standards
Creation of conviction integrity units
Better preservation of evidence
Increased funding for public defenders

7. Are certain groups more likely to be wrongfully convicted?

Yes. Recent data shows that people of color are disproportionately affected by wrongful convictions, with nearly 84% of exonerees being people of color.

8. Can wrongfully convicted people receive compensation?

Compensation varies by state. While some states have laws providing specific amounts for each year of wrongful imprisonment, others offer no statutory compensation. Legal action through civil suits is another potential avenue for compensation.

9. How long do wrongfully convicted people typically serve?

The length of imprisonment for wrongfully convicted individuals has been well-documented. According to the National Registry of Exonerations' 2023 report, people exonerated in 2023 spent an average of 14.6 years in prison for crimes they did not commit. This amounted to a staggering 2,230 years of collective lost freedom in just one year.

The averages have varied over time:

DNA exonerees spend an average of more than 14 years behind bars
The overall average across all types of exonerations is approximately 9 years
Most exonerees are around age 27 when wrongfully convicted and 42 when exonerated

Some states have particularly troubling statistics. For example, in Illinois, which has one of the highest rates of wrongful convictions, exonerees lose about eight years of their lives on average, though some cases have stretched much longer. Some individuals have spent over three decades in prison before being cleared of crimes they didn't commit.