Today, the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced that its first-ever client, Sherman Townsend, received a full pardon on the basis of innocence for his 1998 conviction of first-degree burglary. The Pardon Board voted unanimously to grant Mr. Townsend’s pardon request.
Read MoreWrongfully Convicted, Rightfully Reunited: A Father & Daughter’s Story
Wrongful convictions are, of course, devastating for the individual who is wrongfully incarcerated. A wrongfully convicted person loses their freedom, time with loved ones, and the opportunity to build up savings. They miss out on holidays, funerals, and the chance to build a career. Some lose out on the opportunity to have children. Others have…
Read MoreRobert Kaiser Acquitted of All Charges After Retrial
Today the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced that their client, Robert Kaiser, was acquitted of all charges after being retried for murder in Stearns County.
Read MoreGreat North Innocence Project client’s convictions vacated after 16 years of wrongful incarceration
Today, the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced that its client Edgar Barrientos-Quintana’s convictions have been vacated. Mr. Barrientos-Quintana was convicted of murder and attempted murder in the tragic death of teenager Jesse Mickelson in Hennepin County and sentenced to life without parole in May 2009. In his decision, Judge John McBride found that defense…
Read MoreGenetic genealogy proves Great North Innocence Project client’s innocence, identifies actual perpetrator
The Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) and its pro bono partners at the Minneapolis law firmChestnut Cambronne, PA, announced today that their client Robert Bintz, along with his brother David Bintz who isrepresented by the Wisconsin Innocence Project, will be released from Oakhill Correctional Institution after spending 25 years in prison for a crime he…
Read MoreHennepin County Attorney’s Office agrees Great North Innocence Project client’s conviction should be vacated based on actual innocence
Today, the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced that the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) filed a petition in support of post-conviction relief for GNIP client Edgar Barrientos-Quintana based on his actual innocence. Mr. Barrientos-Quintana has spent nearly 16 years wrongfully incarcerated for a homicide that he did not commit. The HCAO’s filing states that…
Read MoreMinnesota Conviction Review Unit (CRU) finds Great North Innocence Project client innocent, recommends exoneration
Today, the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) filed a petition for post-conviction relief in Hennepin County District Court for their client Edgar Barrientos-Quintana based on his actual innocence. Mr. Barrientos-Quintana has spent nearly 16 years wrongfully incarcerated for a homicide that he did not commit. The filing comes after a comprehensive review of his case…
Read MoreStatement from Brian K. Pippitt on the Minnesota Conviction Review Unit’s Report regarding his conviction
The Conviction Review Unit concluded that Brian Pippitt was “wrongfully convicted of the murder of Evelyn Malin.”
Read MoreThe Injustice of Innocence: Life Sentences Beyond Bars
Once, I heard a legislator in North Dakota quote the English politician William Blackstone and say, “I would rather see ten guilty men go free rather than one innocent person be in prison.” In the realm of law and justice, there is a fundamental belief that it is better for ten guilty individuals to go…
Read MoreMinnesota Conviction Review Unit (CRU) recommends exoneration of Great North Innocence Project Client
Centurion Ministries in partnership with the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced today that they have filed a petition for post-conviction relief on behalf of their client Brian K. Pippitt on the grounds of his actual innocence of the murder for which he was convicted. The Minnesota CRU recently completed a two-year investigation into Mr….
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