Aaron Thomas, a partner at Taft Law, and Trish Palermo, an associate attorney at Taft Law, are volunteering with the Great North Innocence Project to support exonerated client Marvin Haynes as he pursues justice and compensation after his wrongful conviction. Both are generously contributing their legal acumen and passion for justice pro bono to ensure…
Read MoreMinnesota Supreme Court affirms Great North Innocence Project client entitled to post-conviction relief
Today the Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced that the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed that lower courts’ decisions setting aside the second-degree murder conviction of GNIP client Robert Kaiser.
Read MoreJoin me in supporting GNIP’s freed clients: A message from exoneree Terry Olson
My name is Terry Olson and I am a proud 2016 GNIP exoneree. I first attended the Innocence Network Conference in 2018. Now, I invite you to join me in donating to the Great North Innocence Project’s campaign to send more freed and exonerated clients and their support people to this important event. I know…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Pauline Lex
Pauline Lex is an active GNIP volunteer who has contributed her skills and knowledge in numerous important ways. She contributed to spreading the word about GNIP’s mission as an outreach volunteer and served as a member of the Benefit for Innocence Committee in 2023. Learn more about Pauline’s ongoing partnership with GNIP. Great North Innocence…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Catherine Lipinsky
Catherine Lipinsky is a valuable member of the Great North Innocence Project volunteer community. She’s contributed to GNIP’s mission as a member of the Benefit for Innocence Committee and worked with GNIP freed client Tom Rhodes to launch his digital art gallery, Thomas D Galleries. Great North Innocence Project: Tell us about yourself. Catherine Lipinsky:…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Sydney Dobbs
In this month’s volunteer spotlight, we are honored to feature Sydney Dobbs, a dedicated member of the Great North Innocence Project community. A Minnesota native and mother of three, Sydney discovered her passion for criminal justice reform through her involvement in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) where she worked in adolescent corrections. Sydney learned…
Read MoreGreat North Innocence Project client exonerated after nearly 20 years in prison for wrongful conviction
The Great North Innocence Project (GNIP) announced today that their client Marvin Haynes will be released from the Minnesota Correction Facility – Stillwater after spending nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. GNIP will hold a press conference with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) and the Haynes family about…
Read MoreGNIP legal intern reflects on first-hand post-conviction litigation experience
Summer legal intern, Anna Mae Engel, accompanied GNIP’s managing attorney, Andrew Markquart, to Mississippi to support during the evidentiary hearing for GNIP’s client, Amy Wilkerson. Amy has been incarcerated for a crime that she did not commit for 18 years. Below, Anna Mae details what it was like as a law student to attend the…
Read MoreWelcoming GNIP’s newest Board members
The Great North Innocence Project is thrilled to welcome three new Board members to our already incredible team of leaders. With the addition of Dr. Susan Roe, Jazz Hampton, and Benjamin Vickers, our Board is gaining important perspectives in the areas of forensic pathology, organizational development, marketing, community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and law. Dr….
Read MoreVolunteer of the Month: Stuart Nelson
Stuart Nelson is a Principal at Fish & Richardson’s Minneapolis office. With support from his firm, Stuart and a team of pro bono attorneys from Fish are dedicating significant time and legal expertise to one of GNIP’s open cases and supporting Managing Attorney Andrew Markquart and Legal Fellow Anna McGinn. Stuart shared that, “Fish’s support…
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