To free the wrongly prosecuted through the use of DNA

testing. To advance practices that minimize the chances

that others suffer the same fate. To educate the public

that wrongful convictions are not isolated or rare events.

To help the exonerated rebuild their lives.

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• We have arguably the greatest judicial system in the world, but it is not perfect.

• Wrongful convictions undermine confidence in the system.

• DNA evidence has proven 202 Americans innocent of crimes for which they were convicted.

• Simply put: if you don’t do the crime, you shouldn’t do the time.

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Collectively these four Georgians spentmore than 79 years in prison

for crimes they did not commit.

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• Arrested in 1985 for two attacks and tried for rape eventhough similar assaults continued after his arrest.

• His defense attorney tried unsuccessfully to prove anotherman was behind all the attacks.

• Williams was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison.• DNA evidence proved Williams innocent in 2007 – nearly

22 years after his arrest.• The same evidence led police to the same man the

defense attorney had pointed them to more thantwo decades before.

Pete WilliamsGeorgia’s

Newest Exoneree

Exoneration Hearing: 2/13/07Georgia DOC Photo

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• GIP is one of the few Projectsnationwide that has a full-fledgedLife After Exoneration program.

• GIP partners with Atlanta’s toplaw firms to help exonereesrebuild their lives.

• Previous exonerees serve as mentors.• Released in January 2007, Williams has already had several job offers as a result of the media

coverage about his case.

Pete Williams:Rebuilding His Life

Meeting with Prior Exonerees

Pete celebrated his 45th birthday at his partneringfirm, McKenna, Long & Aldridge.

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• Arrested at age 21 in 1981 for rape, robbery and kidnapping.• After initially lying to police, Clark led them to the real perpetrator, but

police refused to investigate.• Convicted and sentenced to a life term.• DNA evidence proved Clark innocent in 2005 – 24 years after his arrest.• The same evidence proved the real perpetrator’s identity and also

solved two unsolved rapes from the 1990s.• GIP has helped Clark rebuild his life through its Life After Exoneration

program, assisting him in job placement and life skills.• Through GIP’s efforts, the state awarded Clark $1.2

million in compensation for his wrongful incarceration.

Robert ClarkExonerated

December 8, 2005

Late 1970s – Age 18

December 7, 2005

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• Arrested for rape, robbery, kidnapping in 1986.• Convicted based on mistaken eyewitness

identification.• Sentenced to Life plus 20 plus 20.• 17 years later, two slides from the sexual assault kit

were found by a GIP intern.• DNA test results came back on August 24, 2004.• One week later, Mr. Harrison walked out of the

courtroom a free man.• Eighteen days after his release, Mr. Harrison

married his long-time love, Yvonne Zellars.

Clarence Harrison:His Story

1986 Line-Up Photo 2004

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• Wedding: 18 days after his release, Clarence married his long-time love, Yvonne. GIP put the word out about the impending nuptials. Dozens of small businesses and individuals joined together to make this dream a reality.

• Medical: Clarence has received medical and dental evaluations and treatment due to the generosity of local doctors.

• Life Skills: Clarence took driving lessons and now has his first driver’s license. He voted for the first time. He is in demand as a public speaker in the Atlanta area and at law schools throughout the South. He is working and attends Emory University part-time.

• Compensation: in 2005, the Georgia Legislature awarded Harrison $1 million in compensation for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

Life After Exoneration

Wedding Day

Ready to Vote

Public Speaking

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Cases must pass an extensive screening process.

Fewer than 1% of the requests progress to the case brief stage.

3000

125 14

0

1000

2000

3000

Inquiries

Investigation

Clients

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Systemic Change• GIP spearheads and supports public policy that works to remedy past wrongful convictions and help prevent those in the future.

Public Awareness• GIP educates the public on the problem of wrongful

convictions and enlists support in addressing it.

Education• GIP works with lawyers and law students to

educate in DNA evidence and post-convictionissues.

GIP members review cases.

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Intern Program Our intern program provides the opportunity

for future Georgia lawyers to learn about the issues surrounding wrongful conviction.

• 8-10 law students and exceptional undergraduate students serve as interns each semester.

• GIP takes interns from law schools nationwide.• Interns receive academic credit for their work.• GIP works with law firms on joint programs with

summer law associates.• Tasks:

– Reviewing and investigating cases under staff supervision

– Making recommendations on cases– Preparing cases for litigation– Assisting clients after exoneration

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Lean Operation• The Georgia Innocence Project operates out donated

office space.• Just two full-time staff members coordinate the work of

many interns and volunteers.• Fixed expenses are covered largely by grants and

material donations.

Case-related Expenses• Even with pro bono legal assistance, costs add up.• Donations go towards ongoing costs such as:

• DNA tests ($4,000 - $15,000)• Legal correspondence (up to $500/month)• Case investigation ($500-$5,000)• Course curriculum books ($100) • Life After Exoneration (up to $1000/month)

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Grants• We receive funding from many prestigious local, state and

national foundations and associations. Grants are continually being solicited.

In-Kind• GIP receives in-kind donations for the organization and its clients.

Events• In addition to enhancing public awareness, GIP events raise

money to help us operate.

Pro Bono Work• Much of the casework is performed by lawyers volunteering their

time.

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Law Firms and Corporate Legal DepartmentsExpertise• Volunteer time to review and research cases, develop amicus

briefs, provide legal opinions, and offer organizational legal assistance.

• Volunteer time and serve as liaison to other resources to help keep GIP up, running, and growing.

• Participate in GIP’s summer associate program, Legal Field Day, and other public awareness/fundraising events.

Resource Support• Tax deductible donations are used for general and case-related

expenses.• In-kind donations for operational needs are also tax deductible.

Adopt an Exoneree• Provide civil legal services and serve as liaison between GIP and

professional service providers through the Life After Exoneration program.

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The Georgia Innocence Project

752½ North Highland AvenueAtlanta, Georgia 30306

404.872.8236404.872.8240 fax

More information is available at our website,www.georgiainnocenceproject.org.

Aimee R. MaxwellExecutive Directoraimee@ga-innocenceproject.org

Lisa GeorgeCommunications Directorlisa@ga-innocenceproject.org