Development THEMIP.ORG will you · Conviction Integrity Units lamar johnson Saber Hossinei FOLLOW...
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MIP Staff Partners Boards will you speak up? a new era Antoine Young Conviction Integrity Units lamar johnson Saber Hossinei FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON OUR CLIENTS’ CASES. Join us, with courage to ask for a better, more just reality. Ricky kidd Annual Report 2019 Every day, Jarvis Young worries about what else his brother, Antoine, will miss. For 11 years, Antoine has sat in prison for a crime he did not commit, after being convicted of a 2007 murder in Omaha, Nebraska. And for 11 years, his brother has waited, scared that Antoine will be absent for important moments. “What if our mom passes away and he won’t be able to be there?” Jarvis said. “I think about that daily. What if I die before he gets out?” Antoine’s case is an example of nearly every cause for wrongful convictions happening at once. No physical evidence existed tied Antoine to the crime. No motive existed for Antoine’s involvement. But his counsel failed to take basic investigative steps; he didn’t present alibi witnesses or evidence about the true perpetrator. And the state’s key witness gave false testimony on the stand. To add to the family’s horror, Jarvis was also falsely charged as an accessory to the murder — charges that were dropped after Antoine’s conviction. How much more can one family take, all because of a failed justice system? After a hearing in 2018, the MIP recently filed a brief on Antoine’s behalf, laying out all the ways in which the system has failed him, and his family. Antoine continues to wait in prison, hoping that justice will finally be served. And on the outside, his family waits too — for Antoine to come home. Years ago, in a Missouri prison, long before he was exonerated, MIP client Ricky Kidd was told by another inmate that there was someone he had to meet — fellow inmate Lamar Johnson. Both Ricky and Lamar were known for being quiet and for being writers. Their potential for friendship seemed obvious. But there was something else they shared, something that sealed the bond between these two friends: both men were convicted of crimes they did not commit. “Early on I sensed he was innocent,” Ricky said. “Then later on I realized he was. That was when we made a pact: whoever got out first had to come back for the other.” In August, half the equation fell into place when Ricky was exonerated. But the wait continues for the friend he left behind. Lamar’s innocence is about as clear as it could be. The St. Louis City prosecutor has admitted grave misconduct by the office, which led to Lamar’s conviction in a 1995 murder. And they agree that Lamar is innocent. At the time of trial, Lamar’s alibi was ignored. Instead, police in Lamar’s case fabricated statements, and pressured (and made payments to) the sole eyewitness to identify Lamar even though the real perpetrators wore ski masks. That witness has since recanted his testimony. And the real perpetrators have confessed in sworn statements. But in the eyes of Missouri law, at least for now, that is not enough. A judge denied Lamar the chance for a new trial in August, a decision the MIP and the Circuit Attorney are appealing. Still, those in Lamar’s corner have not given up – especially not Ricky. One of the first things he did upon his release from prison was make a video for Lamar, so Lamar knew the cavalry was still on its way. “You’re next,” he said, in an ode to their pact from years ago. “We’re coming to get you.” Across the country, a growing number of prosecutors have taken on their ethical duties as ministers of justice to form Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs): divisions of prosecutorial offices that work to prevent, identify, and correct false convictions that occurred in their own jurisdictions. In 2018, there were 44 CIUs in the U.S., nearly triple the amount just five years ago. Out of the 151 exonerations that happened last year, 58 came from the work of CIUs. The power of a prosecutor seeking to fix a wrongful conviction is undeniable. CIUs have access to casefiles and evidence unavailable to innocence organizations and the defense. As a result, CIUs have the power to address one of the leading causes of wrongful incarcerations: official misconduct. Of those 151 exonerations, official misconduct was present in 107 cases. CIUs can also correct wrongful convictions caused by other factors, like mistaken eyewitness identifications, perjury or false accusations, and false confessions, and provide trainings and enact policies to prevent them in the first place. But while the number of CIUs is growing, the but the 44 CIUs in existence only serve 23% of the U.S. population. What can you do? Research to see if your county or state has a CIU. Familiarize yourself with the procedures used to identify and correct false convictions in your area. Learn about the prosecutor in your jurisdiction and let them know you support fair justice. Together — between innocence organizations, CIUs, and people like you — we can give decades back to the wrongfully convicted. From full-time employee to intern isn’t a career change most would make. But for Saber Hossinei, that path is helping lead him to justice. Hossinei’s time at the MIP began with a dream to become a lawyer. But that dream started as a nightmare. In 2015, Hossinei was falsely accused of a crime, hurling him into the criminal justice system. “Fortunately for me, my charges were dropped before trial,” he said. “But there was not much that separated me from those falsely imprisoned today. When the case was all over, I decided to become a lawyer and do something to help others.” Hossinei distilled his awful experience into motivation. He started driving 3 hours each way from Wichita to Kansas City to volunteer in the MIP office. When a development associate job opened, he knew it would be a great chance to see the organization’s inner workings. Meanwhile, he was prepping for law school applications. He enjoyed working with MIP donors and volunteers, but still strived for a career in the courtroom. Last summer, he was accepted into the University of Kansas law school, which meant he had to leave behind his job at the MIP. But his time with the organization was not done yet: He was back at MIP this summer, for a law clerk internship. And he has not forgotten what he learned first-hand from those impacted by the justice system. “The innocent people in prison who relentlessly maintain their hope for vindication inspire me,” he said. “And I want to be the kind of lawyer who does not let them down.” United for justice, United for all Our Community for justice 3619 BROADWAY BLVD., #2 KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 THEMIP.ORG “We haven’t been together as a family, and he can never get those days back. Nobody’s held accountable. It’s scary. I was somewhat aware of wrongful convictions happening before, but it didn’t really hit until we experienced it firsthand as a family.” — Jarvis Young What else will he miss? Bring hope full-circle Highlighting the issues Denied a new chance Kim Lartey, Intake Analyst Rachel Wester, Managing Attorney, Nebraska Tish Sjuts, Development Associate Blair Johnson, Staff Investigator Summer Farrar, Project Manager Ricky Kidd, Community Engagement Manager Brody Sabor, Law Clerk Leigh Ann Carroll Paralegal Tricia Bushnell, Executive Director Arie Foley, Office Manager BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Aisenbrey, Secretary Floyd Bledsoe, exoneree Andrew Brain Steve Browne, Treasurer Rita Cortes John Edgar Mark Emison Ryan Ferguson, exoneree Leah Georges Charles W. German Robert Hoffman, President Courtney Kounkel Quinton Lucas Jeff Morris Jean Phillips Cheryl Pilate Julie Shull, Vice-President Ellen Y. Suni David Welte Sam Wendt Curtis Woods Joseph Hiersteiner, General Counsel NEXT GEN BOARD Tim Dixon, President Kathleen Irish Jordyn Killion Melissa Martin Victoria Pickering Ashley Scoby Nacente Seabury Jess Harman Kate Bergmann Alicia Dworek Ricky Kidd wakes up at 4 a.m. each day. After being released from prison in August, he has no time to waste; He already lost 23 years in prison for a 1996 murder he did not commit. Ricky was officially exonerated after a court found the prosecutor withheld important evidence and that Ricky was actually innocent. After his release, Ricky got more done in a week than most do in a year. He celebrated at Kansas City barbeque joint Jack Stack, and ate filet mignon, of course. But then it was down to business: Shopping for clothes. Getting a cell phone. Applying for his social security card, and opening a bank account. He took (and passed) his driver’s license exam. All that was just a foundation to set Ricky up for what he wants to do now: to go all-in on the fight to exonerate people just like him. “There are faces I left behind who are innocent,” Ricky said. “I don’t want to just come out here and forget everyone else. I have a unique opportunity to make a difference.” So now Ricky is using his motivation, his story, and his drive to fight for other innocent people. He’s working on a book about his experience. He does speaking engagements. And he joined the MIP team as its Community Engagement Manager. Ricky’s fight is also personal: Lamar Johnson, another MIP client, is his best friend. “There’s a natural reflex to go back into a burning building to get your brother,” he said. “My celebration after getting out has been tempered. I’ve enjoyed freedom, but there’s a part of me using some of that energy instead to put towards the fight.” No time to waste We’re entering a new era at the MIP. In the past five years, we’ve brought seven clients home, passed over a dozen laws and policies, grown from 1 to 10 staff members, and developed partnerships with University of Missouri and Kansas Law Schools, and the Iowa Public Defender’s office. What will the next five years bring? Seven more clients coming home would be great. But what if we doubled that number? A dozen more laws would be helpful. But what if we also found a way to start eradicating systemic racism within our justice system? Those sound like big goals. But look how far we’ve come together. Look how much we’ve accomplished. All those accomplishments are because of help from people like you, and because we’ve been unafraid to push out of the status quo. It’s not always comfortable to step into new territory, or to shine light on the things that are scary or unfair about the justice system. But that’s what we’ll keep doing. To keep our momentum going, we have to be bold. Loud. Unapologetic and unafraid to point out the system’s flaws. Always willing to be the person in the room who says something. To make that noise, we rely on you. Through your donations, your voices joining with ours, your donated time or resources, and your shares on social media platforms, we can create a racket that is impossible to ignore. We know the reasons for wrongful convictions. Mistaken eyewitness accounts. False testimony. Misconduct from prosecutors and police departments. Inadequate defense. Systemic racism. It’s not enough to release the wrongfully convicted from prison. We have to fight for a system that doesn’t allow wrongful convictions to happen. This will require a reformed justice system, where police departments and prosecutors are held to higher standards of conduct; where someone’s innocence is enough to release them from prison rather than sending them through endless legal red tape; where we learn to confront aspects of our system that are discriminatory to people of color; where we ensure adequate council for anyone accused of a crime. Sound scary? Impossible? The only thing scarier is sticking with the current system that sends innocent people to prison. Join us as we continue our momentum. Join us, with courage, to ask for a better, more just reality. Tricia Bushnell, Executive Director Through your donations, your voices joining with ours, your donated time or resources, and your shares on social media platforms, we can create a racket that is impossible to ignore.
Transcript of Development THEMIP.ORG will you · Conviction Integrity Units lamar johnson Saber Hossinei FOLLOW...
MIP StaffPartners
Boardswill youspeak up?
a new era
Antoine Young
ConvictionIntegrity Units
lamar johnson
Saber Hossinei
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON OUR CLIENTS’ CASES.
Join us, with courage to ask for a better, more just reality.
Ricky kidd Annual Repor
t2019
Every day, Jarvis Young worries about what else his brother, Antoine, will miss.
For 11 years, Antoine has sat in prison for a crime he did not commit, after being convicted of a 2007 murder in Omaha, Nebraska. And for 11 years, his brother has waited, scared that Antoine will be absent for important moments.
“What if our mom passes away and he won’t be able to be there?” Jarvis said. “I think about that daily. What if I die before he gets out?”
Antoine’s case is an example of nearly every cause for wrongful convictions happening at once. No physical evidence existed tied Antoine to the crime. No motive existed for Antoine’s involvement. But his counsel failed to take basic investigative steps; he didn’t present alibi witnesses or evidence about the true perpetrator. And the state’s key witness gave false testimony on the stand.
To add to the family’s horror, Jarvis was also falsely charged as an accessory to the murder — charges that were dropped after Antoine’s conviction. How much more can one family take, all because of a failed justice system?
After a hearing in 2018, the MIP recently filed a brief on Antoine’s behalf, laying out all the ways in which the system has failed him, and his family. Antoine continues to wait in prison, hoping that justice will finally be served. And on the outside, his family waits too — for Antoine to come home.
Years ago, in a Missouri prison, long before he was exonerated, MIP client Ricky Kidd was told by another inmate that there was someone he had to meet — fellow inmate Lamar Johnson. Both Ricky and Lamar were known for being quiet and for being writers. Their potential for friendship seemed obvious.
But there was something else they shared, something that sealed the bond between these two friends: both men were convicted of crimes they did not commit.
“Early on I sensed he was innocent,” Ricky said. “Then later on I realized he was. That was when we made a pact: whoever got out first had to come back for the other.”
In August, half the equation fell into place when Ricky was exonerated. But the wait continues for the friend he left behind.
Lamar’s innocence is about as clear as it could be. The St. Louis City prosecutor has admitted grave misconduct by the office, which led to Lamar’s conviction in a 1995 murder. And they agree that Lamar is innocent.
At the time of trial, Lamar’s alibi was ignored. Instead, police in Lamar’s case fabricated statements, and pressured (and made payments to) the sole eyewitness to identify Lamar even though the real perpetrators wore ski masks. That witness has since recanted his testimony. And the real perpetrators have confessed in sworn statements.
But in the eyes of Missouri law, at least for now, that is not enough. A judge denied Lamar the chance for a new trial in August, a decision the MIP and the Circuit Attorney are appealing. Still, those in Lamar’s corner have not given up – especially not Ricky. One of the first things he did upon his release from prison was make a video for Lamar, so Lamar knew the cavalry was still on its way.
“You’re next,” he said, in an ode to their pact from years ago. “We’re coming to get you.”
Across the country, a growing number of prosecutors have taken on their ethical duties as ministers of justice to form Conviction Integrity Units (CIUs): divisions of prosecutorial offices that work to prevent, identify, and correct false convictions that occurred in their own jurisdictions.
In 2018, there were 44 CIUs in the U.S., nearly triple the amount just five years ago. Out of the 151 exonerations that happened last year, 58 came from the work of CIUs.
The power of a prosecutor seeking to fix a wrongful conviction is undeniable. CIUs have access to casefiles and evidence unavailable to innocence organizations and the defense. As a result, CIUs have the power to address one of the leading causes of wrongful incarcerations: official misconduct. Of those 151 exonerations, official misconduct was present in 107 cases.
CIUs can also correct wrongful convictions caused by other factors, like mistaken eyewitness identifications, perjury or false accusations, and false confessions, and provide trainings and enact policies to prevent them in the first place. But while the number of CIUs is growing, the but the 44 CIUs in existence only serve 23% of the U.S. population.
What can you do? Research to see if your county or state has a CIU. Familiarize yourself with the procedures used to identify and correct false convictions in your area. Learn about the prosecutor in your jurisdiction and let them know you support fair justice.
Together — between innocence organizations, CIUs, and people like you — we can give decades back to the wrongfully convicted.
From full-time employee to intern isn’t a career change most would make. But for Saber Hossinei, that path is helping lead him to justice.
Hossinei’s time at the MIP began with a dream to become a lawyer. But that dream started as a nightmare. In 2015, Hossinei was falsely accused of a crime, hurling him into the criminal justice system.
“Fortunately for me, my charges were dropped before trial,” he said. “But there was not much that separated me from those falsely imprisoned today. When the case was all over, I decided to become a lawyer and do something to help others.”
Hossinei distilled his awful experience into motivation. He started driving 3 hours each way from Wichita to Kansas City to volunteer in the MIP office. When a development associate job opened, he knew it would be a great chance to see the organization’s inner workings.
Meanwhile, he was prepping for law school applications. He enjoyed working with MIP donors and volunteers, but still strived for a career in the courtroom.
Last summer, he was accepted into the University of Kansas law school, which meant he had to leave behind his job at the MIP. But his time with the organization was not done yet: He was back at MIP this summer, for a law clerk internship. And he has not forgotten what he learned first-hand from those impacted by the justice system.
“The innocent people in prison who relentlessly maintain their hope for vindication inspire me,” he said. “And I want to be the kind of lawyer who does not let them down.”
United for justice, United for all
Our Community for justice3619 BROADWAY BLVD., #2
KANSAS CITY, MO 64111
THEMIP.ORG
“We haven’t been together as a family, and he can never get those days back. Nobody’s held accountable. It’s scary.I was somewhat aware of wrongful convictions happening before, but it didn’t really hit until we experiencedit firsthand as a family.”
— Jarvis Young
What else will he miss? Bring hope full-circle Highlighting the issues
Denied a new chance
Kim Lartey,Intake Analyst
Rachel Wester,Managing Attorney,Nebraska
Tish Sjuts,Development Associate
Blair Johnson,Staff Investigator
Summer Farrar,Project Manager
Ricky Kidd,Community EngagementManager
Brody Sabor,Law Clerk
Leigh Ann CarrollParalegal
Tricia Bushnell,Executive Director
Arie Foley,Office Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORSJohn Aisenbrey, SecretaryFloyd Bledsoe, exonereeAndrew Brain Steve Browne, Treasurer Rita Cortes John Edgar Mark Emison Ryan Ferguson, exonereeLeah GeorgesCharles W. GermanRobert Hoffman, President
Courtney KounkelQuinton LucasJeff MorrisJean PhillipsCheryl PilateJulie Shull, Vice-PresidentEllen Y. Suni David Welte Sam WendtCurtis WoodsJoseph Hiersteiner, General Counsel
NEXT GEN BOARDTim Dixon, PresidentKathleen IrishJordyn KillionMelissa MartinVictoria Pickering
Ashley ScobyNacente SeaburyJess HarmanKate BergmannAlicia Dworek
Ricky Kidd wakes up at 4 a.m. each day. After being released from prison in August, he has no time to waste; He already lost 23 years in prison for a 1996 murder he did not commit.
Ricky was officially exonerated after a court found the prosecutor withheld important evidence and that Ricky was actually innocent.
After his release, Ricky got more done in a week than most do in a year. He celebrated at Kansas City barbeque joint Jack Stack, and ate filet mignon, of course. But then it was down to business: Shopping for clothes. Getting a cell phone. Applying for his social security card, and opening a bank account. He took (and passed) his driver’s license exam.
All that was just a foundation to set Ricky up for what he wants to do now: to go all-in on the fight to exonerate people just like him.
“There are faces I left behind who are innocent,” Ricky said. “I don’t want to just come out here and forget everyone else. I have a unique opportunity to make a difference.”
So now Ricky is using his motivation, his story, and his drive to fight for other innocent people. He’s working on a book about his experience. He does speaking engagements. And he joined the MIP team as its Community Engagement Manager.
Ricky’s fight is also personal: Lamar Johnson, another MIP client, is his best friend.
“There’s a natural reflex to go back into a burning building to get your brother,” he said. “My celebration after getting out has been tempered. I’ve enjoyed freedom, but there’s a part of me using some of that energy instead to put towards the fight.”
No time to waste
We’re entering a new era at the MIP. In the past five years, we’ve brought seven clients home, passed over a dozen laws and policies, grown from 1 to 10 staff members, and developed partnerships with University of Missouri and Kansas Law Schools, and the Iowa Public Defender’s office.
What will the next five years bring? Seven more clients coming home would be great. But what if we doubled that number? A dozen more laws would be helpful. But what if we also found a way to start eradicating systemic racism within our justice system?
Those sound like big goals. But look how far we’ve come together. Look how much we’ve accomplished.
All those accomplishments are because of help from people like you, and because we’ve been unafraid to push out of the status quo. It’s not always comfortable to step into new territory, or to shine light on the things that are scary or unfair about the justice system.
But that’s what we’ll keep doing.
To keep our momentum going, we have to be bold. Loud. Unapologetic and unafraid to point out the system’s flaws. Always willing to be the person in the room who says something.
To make that noise, we rely on you. Through your donations, your voices joining with ours, your donated time or resources, and your shares on social media platforms, we can create a racket that is impossible to ignore.
We know the reasons for wrongful convictions. Mistaken eyewitness accounts. False testimony. Misconduct from prosecutors and police departments. Inadequate defense. Systemic racism.
It’s not enough to release the wrongfully convicted from prison. We have to fight for a system that doesn’t allow wrongful convictions to happen.
This will require a reformed justice system, where police departments and prosecutors are held to higher standards of conduct; where someone’s innocence is enough to release them from prison rather than sending them through endless legal red tape; where we learn to confront aspects of our system that are discriminatory to people of color; where we ensure adequate council for anyone accused of a crime.
Sound scary? Impossible?
The only thing scarier is sticking with the current system that sends innocent people to prison.
Join us as we continue our momentum. Join us, with courage, to ask for a better, more just reality.
Tricia Bushnell, Executive Director
Through your donations, your voices joining with ours, your donated time or resources, and your shares on social media platforms, we can create a racket that is impossible to ignore.
159CASES
40 COUNTIES
378CASES
60 COUNTIES
99CASES
28 COUNTIES
45CASES
14 COUNTIES
57CASES
21 COUNTIES
738Open CASES
153 COUNTIES
554 SCREENING WAITLIST
PENDING INVESTIGATIONS65
12
75 QUESTIONNAIRESPROCESSED212 QUESTIONNAIRES
SENT
56 SCREENINGS IN PROGRESS 23 SCREENED,
REVIEW PENDING
17 ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS
gender4%
FEMALE
.7%ASIAN
Race
LitigationWill you join us?.3%
NATIVEAMERICAN
3%HISPANIC
40%WHITE
56%BLACK
96%MALE
DemographicsClient
Together, we can create a new reality.
There is no room for hesitation in our work. Every minute, hour, and day matter when innocent people sit in prison for crimes they did not commit.
A certain amount of boldness drives everything we do. We call out injustice, even when it’s caused by those in power. We shine light on the reasons for wrongful convictions, even when they’re uncomfortable for people to see. We pour every dime, moment, and resource we can into this work — and we ask for your boldness in that mission, too.
Your donation could pay for the DNA test that frees our next client. It could fund critical time spent tracking down key witnesses or arguing in court on behalf of the innocent.
Your social media share of a client’s story could bring awareness to more people, who can help in their own small ways. Your voice calling a legislator could be the difference that takes us from a status-quo justice system to a more hopeful tomorrow.
There is no time to wait. No donation too small.
Cases By State Case Status
EXONERATION $15,000+: Reid Family Trust, Welch Family Foundation, German May PC, The Lozier Foundation, David & Wendy Welte
INNOCENCE $10,000–$14,999: John Aisenbrey, David & Cathi Brain, Robert Hoffman, Immanuel Charitable Foundation, Emily Branch, Tom Walsh, American Century Investments Foundation
JUSTICE $5000–$9999: Network for Good, Hartley Family Foundation, Lathrop & Gage, Keith & Stephanie Henson, Wendt Law Firm, PC, Robert Langdon, Meara Welch & Browne, PC, Jane Ehinger, John Cadwalader, Steve Browne, Baldwin & Vernon Law, Bryan Cave LLP, Margaret Silva Fund, Nichol-son Capital Management, Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP
FREEDOM $2500–$4999: Jordan Glasgow, New Horizons Enterprises, Jerry Bales, Laura Brooks, MONARCH, Patrick & Chesney Sallee, Carrie Phillips, Edgar Law Firm, Spencer Walsh, David Larrabee; Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd; Hall Charitable Foundation, Langdon & Emison, Becker for Representative, Berkowitz Oliver LLP, Dollar, Burns & Becker, Jonathan B. Bredin Private Foundation, MarksNelson LLC, Morgan Pilate LLC, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP, The Meyers Law Firm, LC, Williams, Dirks and Dameron LLC, Julie Shull, Jessie Merrigan, Troy Stremming,, Nicholas Cereste, Louise Rinn, Nancy Bone, Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP, First Business Bank
ADVOCATE $1000–$2499: Rita Cortes, The Hawks Foundation, Rich Morgan, Alan Lankford, Marsh & Mclennan Agency, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Lankford Fendler + Associates, Elmer F. Pierson Fund, Arvest Bank, City of KCMO Human Rights Commission, Copaken Family Fund, Sisters of St. Francis, Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian P.C., Paul & Julie Schleicher, Melissa Martin, David W. Russell Family Charita-ble Fund, Robert Borden, Chicken N Pickle, Jared Babbit, Mike Marsh, Dunn Family Foundation, Jennifer Berhorst, Ellen Suni, Leo Morton, Norm Siegel, Thomas Hershewe, Todd Hilton, Boulevard Brewing Company, Jim Carr, Kurt Hartner, Honoring the Lord, The GE Foundation, Cheryl Pilate, Dan Blegan, Hope S Goldstein, Jeffrey Johnson, Jill McGee, John Barton, Judy Heeter, Marta Padula, Mary Brain, Shelly Freeman, Stephanie Sanders, Joan and Bert Berkley Blue Heron Foundation ,Davis, Bethune & Jones Charitable FoundationDiPasquale Moore, LLC, God's Will In Action
ALLY $1–$999: Katy Borders, Adam Graves, Heartland Paralegal Association, Johnny Hart, RJ Trowbridge, Elish Meyers, John O'Connor, Dan Martin, Diann Spencer, Kimberly Gunter, Krigel & Krigel, PC, Alli Jacoby, Christine Cesare, Gino Serra, Kip Robertson, Margaret Richards, Mindy Stewart, Carole Lewis, Piper Reimer, Tom Jones, Per Christensen, The Signatry, Bill Robbins, Catherine Singer, Cathy Matlack, Craig O'Dear, Dan Flanigan, Daniel Molyneaux, Daniel Singer, Elizabeth Schellhorn, Evan Reid, Hannah Fenley, James Arkell, Kirk Peterson, Kris Riddell, Lonnie Shalton, Nancy Franklin, Nikki Marcotte, Pamela Woodard, Pat Fleischmann, Patricia Redington, Rebecca Smith, Richard Lombardo, Robert White, Rodney Uphoff, Susan Tvrdy, Ted Greene, William Beck, Baty Holm Numrich & Otto PC, Douglas County Community Foundation, EAG Advertising & Marketing, Payne & Jones Foundation, Sara Lintecum, Bradley Davis, Steve Becker, Andrew Brain, Pamela Frank, Eric Vernon, Tricia Bushnell, Seth Norton, Tim Dixon, Donald Brain, John Austin Moore, Robin Emison, Stephanie Walters, Kathleen Irish, Dori Hobbs, Kristy Ecton, Ted Place, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc, Eric Kelting, Greg Fendler, Kevin Baldwin, Lindsay Runnels, Susie Meyer, Jana Deshay, Matt Jacober, Anne Bethune, Gwendolyn Cooke, Kelly Weyer, Kit Star, Robert Curtis, Steven Terbovich, Amanda Ketchum, Cathy Hermsen, Matt Moderson, David Kensinger, The Benevity Community Impact Fund, Abby McClellan, Alex Ricke, Brian Place, Brittany McClitis, Connor Curran, Craig Watz, Erin Fishman, Gregory Patterson, Jack Campbell, Jean Rosenthal, John Hoffman, Kristin Wing, Kurt Swaim, Marti McLarney, Marty Peterson, Matthew Harris, Melinda Troeger, Nancy Abboud, Nicole Ratliff, Steven Lucasm, Thomas Bath, Victor Bergman, William Dunn, Richard and Annette Bloch Family Foundation Fund, Silverstone Group Incorporated, Mark Emison, Tyler Wright, Danielle Robinson, Jonathon Potts, Sarah Pleban, Austin Thompson, Carolyn James, Laurie Franklin, Julie Cook, TIAA Charitable Giving Fund, Barbara Dastoor, Denise Murphy, Dionne Scherff, Donna Massey, Gary Farrar, Greg Musil, John Cowden, Karri Broadbent, Kurt Martiny, Madeleine Philpot, Micaela Staley, Richard Donnell, Sharice Davids, Tanner Wycoff, Wendy Doyle, Rime Buddhist Center, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Jess Hagen, Nick Corduan, Ben Federlein, Briana Osborn, Alice Craig, Brad Pierce, Dylan Geary, Janeal Matheson, Jo-Lynne Worley, Katherine Hoggard, Linda Eissenberg, Sheila Sonnenschein, Jeff and Sara Hutsell, Jane McQueeny, McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan PC, Colin Stoner, Brenda Poor, Evie Craig, Jeff Carroll, Matthew Limoli, Peg Van Wagoner, Carman Stalker, Jennifer Nicholson, Lane Phillips, Michael Alvarez, Ben Weiss, Max Skidmore, Amanda Sisney, Cortney Patterson, Daniel Schroed-er, Elisa Espiritu, Kate Nolen, Kathleen Morton Arzate, Kendra Frazier, Lisa Phillips, Marissa Bluestine, Mark Parachini, Therese Schuele, Cantrell Family Fund, Alex Thrasher, Amanda Moore, Amy Posey, Angela Batson, Ann Stern, Ashley Smith, Ben McMullin, Beverly Wilkins, Bruce Waugh, Byron Beck, Chris Knitter, Cindy Circo, Cory Ball, Daniel Bukovac, David Robinson, David Suroff, Dennis Stephens, Duncan Burdette, Elizabeth Haden, Emma Chapman, Eva Taveau, Glenda Goodman, Graham Crow, Harley Ratliff, Jacki Langum, James Malouff III, Jeffery Dazey, Jerome Dobson, Jessica Dowty, Joan Suarez, Jody Kuntz, John Rogers, Joni Sebus, Jordon Rioux, Julie Welch, Kathleen Butler, Kim Benjamin, Kurt Level, Laura Fathau-er, Lauren Strathman, Leah Georges, Leon Munday, Leslie Noakes, Lindsay Frost, Liz Birch, Lolly Cerda, Margaret Klee, Marie Hauser, Martha Baker, Matthew Dameron, Mitchell Brian, Nancy Vollersten, Natasha Noman, Nik Busch, Norman Beal, Rebecca Woodman, Robert Barker, Robert Downs, Robert Kraft, Roger Carswell, Samantha Wagner, Samuel McHenry, Sarah Brown, Sarah Ventola, Scott Gyllen-borg, Sharon Graybow, Shawn Tolivar, Sheila Madden, Simon Kalish, Stuart Dornan, Susan Bernstein, Susan Harris, Tammy Williams, Taylor Moore, Teresa Martin, Andereck, Evans, Widger, Johnson & Lewis, Nicole Kettler, Chris Kramer, Cale Redfern, Julie Schmidt, Hawkins Parnell & Young, Montana Hosterman, Amy Miller, Annie Brabson, Carol Fischer, Danielle Hernandez, Don Wallace, Heather Hardinger, Jeanne Thompson, John Stolwyk, Johnda Boyce, Katherine Stuart, Kris Peterson, Luke Bobo, Marianne Erickson, Mark Ellison, Michael and Donna Geiselhart, Michelle Arthington, Mike Tolivar, Richard Woods, Robin Lamer, Sarah Newell, Thomas Zurheide, Victoria Pickering, The Morton Living Trust, Marilyn Hynes, Nancy Harrison, TaRushajai Coffman Accent Colors Dialect Coaching, Megan Willesen, Gregory Vranicar, Sarina Rachelle Soligo, Beth Schultz, Eric Blanken, Gilbert Kisang, Marsha Schulte, Michael Brunkow, Cathy Kunce, Rachel Wester, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Alicia Starr, Andrea Carney, Anita McFeeters, Arden Boore, Arnold Sjuts, Belinda Potter, Brody Sabor, Emily Morris, Jamie Thomas. Jessica Kramer, Jo Ellen White, Jonathan Rand, Leigh Ann Carroll, Nick Vaughan, Peggy Calhoun, Robin Vodehnal, Taylor Stewart, Traer Cundiff, Vicki Thompson, Wendi Bridges, Deborah Jean Schultz, Ian Hartten, Jacques Dugger, Brenda Bailey, James Martin, Janis Lee, Maryann Stassen, Mia Rintoul, Naomi Perkins, Nicole Conner, Salim Damerdji, Amy Pivovar, Arie Foley, Lauren Sandefur, Pam McGrath, Dekes Reynolds, BES Consultants, Arthur LeBeau, Elizabeth Berry, Julie Alley, Kaitlyn Barnes, Karyn Walden-Forrest, Loren Debrick, Mayra Montoya, Jessica Noble, Amanda Castilleja
EXONERATION $15,000+: Reid Family Trust, Welch Family Foundation, German May PC, The Lozier Foundation, David & Wendy Welte
INNOCENCE $10,000–$14,999: John Aisenbrey, David & Cathi Brain, Robert Hoffman, Immanuel Charitable Foundation, Emily Branch, Tom Walsh, American Century Investments Foundation
JUSTICE $5000–$9999: Network for Good, Hartley Family Foundation, Lathrop & Gage, Keith & Stephanie Henson, Wendt Law Firm, PC, Robert Langdon, Meara Welch & Browne, PC, Jane Ehinger, John Cadwalader, Steve Browne, Baldwin & Vernon Law, Bryan Cave LLP, Margaret Silva Fund, Nichol-son Capital Management, Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP
FREEDOM $2500–$4999: Jordan Glasgow, New Horizons Enterprises, Jerry Bales, Laura Brooks, MONARCH, Patrick & Chesney Sallee, Carrie Phillips, Edgar Law Firm, Spencer Walsh, David Larrabee; Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, Chtd; Hall Charitable Foundation, Langdon & Emison, Becker for Representative, Berkowitz Oliver LLP, Dollar, Burns & Becker, Jonathan B. Bredin Private Foundation, MarksNelson LLC, Morgan Pilate LLC, Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP, The Meyers Law Firm, LC, Williams, Dirks and Dameron LLC, Julie Shull, Jessie Merrigan, Troy Stremming,, Nicholas Cereste, Louise Rinn, Nancy Bone, Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP, First Business Bank
ADVOCATE $1000–$2499: Rita Cortes, The Hawks Foundation, Rich Morgan, Alan Lankford, Marsh & Mclennan Agency, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Lankford Fendler + Associates, Elmer F. Pierson Fund, Arvest Bank, City of KCMO Human Rights Commission, Copaken Family Fund, Sisters of St. Francis, Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian P.C., Paul & Julie Schleicher, Melissa Martin, David W. Russell Family Charita-ble Fund, Robert Borden, Chicken N Pickle, Jared Babbit, Mike Marsh, Dunn Family Foundation, Jennifer Berhorst, Ellen Suni, Leo Morton, Norm Siegel, Thomas Hershewe, Todd Hilton, Boulevard Brewing Company, Jim Carr, Kurt Hartner, Honoring the Lord, The GE Foundation, Cheryl Pilate, Dan Blegan, Hope S Goldstein, Jeffrey Johnson, Jill McGee, John Barton, Judy Heeter, Marta Padula, Mary Brain, Shelly Freeman, Stephanie Sanders, Joan and Bert Berkley Blue Heron Foundation ,Davis, Bethune & Jones Charitable FoundationDiPasquale Moore, LLC, God's Will In Action
ALLY $1–$999: Katy Borders, Adam Graves, Heartland Paralegal Association, Johnny Hart, RJ Trowbridge, Elish Meyers, John O'Connor, Dan Martin, Diann Spencer, Kimberly Gunter, Krigel & Krigel, PC, Alli Jacoby, Christine Cesare, Gino Serra, Kip Robertson, Margaret Richards, Mindy Stewart, Carole Lewis, Piper Reimer, Tom Jones, Per Christensen, The Signatry, Bill Robbins, Catherine Singer, Cathy Matlack, Craig O'Dear, Dan Flanigan, Daniel Molyneaux, Daniel Singer, Elizabeth Schellhorn, Evan Reid, Hannah Fenley, James Arkell, Kirk Peterson, Kris Riddell, Lonnie Shalton, Nancy Franklin, Nikki Marcotte, Pamela Woodard, Pat Fleischmann, Patricia Redington, Rebecca Smith, Richard Lombardo, Robert White, Rodney Uphoff, Susan Tvrdy, Ted Greene, William Beck, Baty Holm Numrich & Otto PC, Douglas County Community Foundation, EAG Advertising & Marketing, Payne & Jones Foundation, Sara Lintecum, Bradley Davis, Steve Becker, Andrew Brain, Pamela Frank, Eric Vernon, Tricia Bushnell, Seth Norton, Tim Dixon, Donald Brain, John Austin Moore, Robin Emison, Stephanie Walters, Kathleen Irish, Dori Hobbs, Kristy Ecton, Ted Place, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc, Eric Kelting, Greg Fendler, Kevin Baldwin, Lindsay Runnels, Susie Meyer, Jana Deshay, Matt Jacober, Anne Bethune, Gwendolyn Cooke, Kelly Weyer, Kit Star, Robert Curtis, Steven Terbovich, Amanda Ketchum, Cathy Hermsen, Matt Moderson, David Kensinger, The Benevity Community Impact Fund, Abby McClellan, Alex Ricke, Brian Place, Brittany McClitis, Connor Curran, Craig Watz, Erin Fishman, Gregory Patterson, Jack Campbell, Jean Rosenthal, John Hoffman, Kristin Wing, Kurt Swaim, Marti McLarney, Marty Peterson, Matthew Harris, Melinda Troeger, Nancy Abboud, Nicole Ratliff, Steven Lucasm, Thomas Bath, Victor Bergman, William Dunn, Richard and Annette Bloch Family Foundation Fund, Silverstone Group Incorporated, Mark Emison, Tyler Wright, Danielle Robinson, Jonathon Potts, Sarah Pleban, Austin Thompson, Carolyn James, Laurie Franklin, Julie Cook, TIAA Charitable Giving Fund, Barbara Dastoor, Denise Murphy, Dionne Scherff, Donna Massey, Gary Farrar, Greg Musil, John Cowden, Karri Broadbent, Kurt Martiny, Madeleine Philpot, Micaela Staley, Richard Donnell, Sharice Davids, Tanner Wycoff, Wendy Doyle, Rime Buddhist Center, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Jess Hagen, Nick Corduan, Ben Federlein, Briana Osborn, Alice Craig, Brad Pierce, Dylan Geary, Janeal Matheson, Jo-Lynne Worley, Katherine Hoggard, Linda Eissenberg, Sheila Sonnenschein, Jeff and Sara Hutsell, Jane McQueeny, McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan PC, Colin Stoner, Brenda Poor, Evie Craig, Jeff Carroll, Matthew Limoli, Peg Van Wagoner, Carman Stalker, Jennifer Nicholson, Lane Phillips, Michael Alvarez, Ben Weiss, Max Skidmore, Amanda Sisney, Cortney Patterson, Daniel Schroed-er, Elisa Espiritu, Kate Nolen, Kathleen Morton Arzate, Kendra Frazier, Lisa Phillips, Marissa Bluestine, Mark Parachini, Therese Schuele, Cantrell Family Fund, Alex Thrasher, Amanda Moore, Amy Posey, Angela Batson, Ann Stern, Ashley Smith, Ben McMullin, Beverly Wilkins, Bruce Waugh, Byron Beck, Chris Knitter, Cindy Circo, Cory Ball, Daniel Bukovac, David Robinson, David Suroff, Dennis Stephens, Duncan Burdette, Elizabeth Haden, Emma Chapman, Eva Taveau, Glenda Goodman, Graham Crow, Harley Ratliff, Jacki Langum, James Malouff III, Jeffery Dazey, Jerome Dobson, Jessica Dowty, Joan Suarez, Jody Kuntz, John Rogers, Joni Sebus, Jordon Rioux, Julie Welch, Kathleen Butler, Kim Benjamin, Kurt Level, Laura Fathau-er, Lauren Strathman, Leah Georges, Leon Munday, Leslie Noakes, Lindsay Frost, Liz Birch, Lolly Cerda, Margaret Klee, Marie Hauser, Martha Baker, Matthew Dameron, Mitchell Brian, Nancy Vollersten, Natasha Noman, Nik Busch, Norman Beal, Rebecca Woodman, Robert Barker, Robert Downs, Robert Kraft, Roger Carswell, Samantha Wagner, Samuel McHenry, Sarah Brown, Sarah Ventola, Scott Gyllen-borg, Sharon Graybow, Shawn Tolivar, Sheila Madden, Simon Kalish, Stuart Dornan, Susan Bernstein, Susan Harris, Tammy Williams, Taylor Moore, Teresa Martin, Andereck, Evans, Widger, Johnson & Lewis, Nicole Kettler, Chris Kramer, Cale Redfern, Julie Schmidt, Hawkins Parnell & Young, Montana Hosterman, Amy Miller, Annie Brabson, Carol Fischer, Danielle Hernandez, Don Wallace, Heather Hardinger, Jeanne Thompson, John Stolwyk, Johnda Boyce, Katherine Stuart, Kris Peterson, Luke Bobo, Marianne Erickson, Mark Ellison, Michael and Donna Geiselhart, Michelle Arthington, Mike Tolivar, Richard Woods, Robin Lamer, Sarah Newell, Thomas Zurheide, Victoria Pickering, The Morton Living Trust, Marilyn Hynes, Nancy Harrison, TaRushajai Coffman Accent Colors Dialect Coaching, Megan Willesen, Gregory Vranicar, Sarina Rachelle Soligo, Beth Schultz, Eric Blanken, Gilbert Kisang, Marsha Schulte, Michael Brunkow, Cathy Kunce, Rachel Wester, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Alicia Starr, Andrea Carney, Anita McFeeters, Arden Boore, Arnold Sjuts, Belinda Potter, Brody Sabor, Emily Morris, Jamie Thomas. Jessica Kramer, Jo Ellen White, Jonathan Rand, Leigh Ann Carroll, Nick Vaughan, Peggy Calhoun, Robin Vodehnal, Taylor Stewart, Traer Cundiff, Vicki Thompson, Wendi Bridges, Deborah Jean Schultz, Ian Hartten, Jacques Dugger, Brenda Bailey, James Martin, Janis Lee, Maryann Stassen, Mia Rintoul, Naomi Perkins, Nicole Conner, Salim Damerdji, Amy Pivovar, Arie Foley, Lauren Sandefur, Pam McGrath, Dekes Reynolds, BES Consultants, Arthur LeBeau, Elizabeth Berry, Julie Alley, Kaitlyn Barnes, Karyn Walden-Forrest, Loren Debrick, Mayra Montoya, Jessica Noble, Amanda Castilleja
