We challenge wrongful convictions on every front by exonerating the innocent, educating future attorneys, and reforming criminal justice policy. Read our Spring 2023 update to see how we continue to exonerate, educate, and reform.
LATEST NCIP NEWS
Zavion Johnson and Paige Kaneb featured on 'Wrongful Conviction' podcast
NCIP Client Zavion Johnson and Supervising Attorney Paige Kaneb were recently interviewed for the popular Wrongful Conviction podcast series, discussing Johnson's heartbreaking case.
Darwin Crabtree Receives Compensation for Wrongful Conviction
On March 16, Northern California Innocence Project client Darwin Crabtree was granted compensation by the California Victim Compensation Board for the nearly 10 years he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. This has been a multi-decade ordeal for Crabtree and his family — he was convicted in 1991 and released in 2001 though it wasn’t until 2017 that those convicted in California no longer in custody could challenge their convictions.
NCIP Clients & Staff Attend Annual Innocence Network Conference
With more than 30 clients, staff, volunteers, and students in attendance, NCIP was well represented at the 2023 Innocence Network Conference.
L-R: NCIP Intake Attorney Aaron Aguas-Rao with Sydnie Mitchell '21, Jamila Michael, and Claudia Salinas.
NCIP-affiliated attendees participated in a number of training panels and breakout sessions at the conference, which took place April 14-15 in Phoenix, AZ.
- Client Karla Baday, the 2022 recipient of the Cookie Ridolfi Freedom Award, participated in a panel discussion on LGBTQ implications in wrongful convictions.
- NCIP Intake Attorney Aaron Aguas-Rao and California Innocence Project staffers Sydnie Mitchell '21, Jamila Michael and Claudia Salinas discussed tackling case intake.
- Staff Attorney and Policy Liaison Melissa O'Connell presented a case study on the exoneration of Ricky Davis using forensic genetic genealogy. She was joined by former Sacramento County DA Anne Marie Schubert and El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson.
- Supervising Attorney Paige Kaneb had "curbside consulting" time to meet with conference attendees individually or in small groups to offer expertise on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma litigation.
Additionally, NCIP clients Karla Baday, Franky Carrillo, Kevin Harper, and Clifton Jones participated in the JustLeadershipUSA Emerging Leaders Training.
NCIP client Karla Baday during a panel on LGBTQ implications in wrongful convictions.
L-R: El Dorado County DA Vern Pierson, former Sacramento County DA Anne Marie Schubert, and NCIP Staff Attorney Melissa O'Connell.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
NCIP Students Celebrate Close of Academic Year
The 22 Santa Clara Law students who made up the NCIP Clinic for 2022-23 recently celebrated the end of a successful academic year. Click here to get to know the talented Santa Clara Law students who worked on a myriad of wrongful conviction cases, research projects, and policy reform initiatives over the past 10 months.
A new cohort of clinical students will join NCIP this fall.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
CIC Co-Sponsoring Two Bills in California State Legislature
NCIP, in addition to the California Innocence Project, Loyola Project for the Innocent, and the Los Angeles Innocence Project, tackle policy reform efforts collectively as the California Innocence Coalition (CIC). This year, CIC is co-sponsoring two bills in the California State Legislature:
- SB 97 —Righting Wrongful Convictions: This bill amends California’s law relating to petitions for writ of habeas corpus.
- SB 78 — Factual Innocence: This bill further extends SB 446 — co-sponsored by CIC and passed in 2021 — to ensure that the two processes in seeking compensation for the wrongfully convicted are aligned and not unduly burdensome on the state litigators responding to these claims.
For more information on SB 97 and 78, in addition to a list of six other bills CIC is supporting, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 12, 2023: 'Lovely Jackson'
NCIP is serving as a community partner for the DocLands Film Festival screening of 'Lovely Jackson,' a powerful film about Rickey Jackson and the 39 years he spent in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. An onstage conversation with director Matt Waldeck and Jackson will follow the screening.
For more information, and to get tickets, click here.
Get excited for the 2023 Justice For All Gala! Click to watch a video with highlights from the 2022 event.
Save the date! NCIP's annual Justice for All Gala will take place this year on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco.
Sponsorship information is available here. For questions, contact External Relations Director Carla Spain.
NCIP COMMUNITY
NCIP staff, clients, and family at Exonerated Nation's inaugural Hike for Justice in Muir Woods on April 29.
Paige Kaneb with former NCIP student Reed Wagner, Stanislaus County Chief Deputy Public Defender.
Members of the NCIP group at the closing celebration of the Innocence Network Conference.
NCIP staff with client Joaquin Ciria during his recent visit to the NCIP office.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
NCIP is made possible in large part through private donations from people like you. With your help, we can continue to exonerate, educate and reform. Thank you for your support as we work together to make a difference in the lives of the wrongfully convicted.
