Press Releases
All press releases are saved as Adobe PDF files. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader for free by clicking here.
Celebrating 10 Years of Freeing the Innocent
Released on April 2, 2013Meet Betty Anne Waters, real life heroine of the movie Conviction, at Steppin’ Out with the Innocence Project of Florida in Miami on April 5th TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 28, 2013) — For ten years the Innocence Project of Florida... Read More >
Your Support Is Needed for IPF to Receive Grant
Released on September 4, 2012Innocence Project of Florida Needs Area Support to Receive $250,000 Grant from Chase Community Giving Area residents can make a huge impact by voting on Facebook (TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) – The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF), a non-profit working to find... Read More >
Press Release: Honoring Holland & Knight at Miami Gala
Released on April 11, 2012The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) will host its inaugural awards gala, Steppin’ Out, Friday, April 27th at the Four Seasons Hotel where they will present the first Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte Commitment to Justice Award to the law firm of... Read More >
Press Release: DNA Exoneree & Recording Artist William Michael Dillon Performing In Tallahassee on Sept. 7
Released on August 31, 2011DNA Exoneree, Songwriter & Recording Artist William Michael Dillon Performing In Tallahassee on September 7, 2011 Dillon Will Release Full-Length CD, Black Robes & Lawyers on September 27, 2011 DNA Exoneree, Songwriter & Recording Artist William Michael Dillon will perform... Read More >
Press Release: Law Enforcement, Victims, and the Wrongly Convicted Urge House to Pass Landmark Eyewitness Identification Bill
Released on May 2, 2011Law Enforcement, Victims, and the Wrongly Convicted Urge House to Pass Landmark Eyewitness Identification Bill; SB 1206, Requiring Identification Best Practices, Passes Senate and Awaits House Consideration (Tallahassee, FL) As Senate Bill 1206 awaits consideration by the full Florida House... Read More >
Press Release: Derrick Williams Exonerated After 18 Years Wrongful Incarceration
Released on April 6, 2011Derrick Williams’ Conviction Vacated; Exonerated After 18 Years Wrongfully Incarcerated Judge Finds DNA Evidence Would Acquit and that Sheriff’s Office Unlawfully Destroyed Exculpatory Evidence (Tallahassee, FL) On April 4, 2011, Derrick Williams was released from custody after the state dropped... Read More >
Press Release: Williams Conviction Vacated, But State Appeals
Released on March 31, 2011Derrick Williams’ Conviction Vacated; State Delays Justice by Appealing Order Judge Finds DNA Evidence Would Acquit and that Sheriff’s Office Unlawfully Destroyed Exculpatory Evidence (Tallahassee, FL) On March 28, 2011, Circuit Judge Marc Gilner vacated Derrick Williams’ 1993 convictions of... Read More >
Derrick Williams Hearing Press Advisory
Released on March 14, 2011For Immediate Release Press Advisory March 14, 2011 Contacts: Seth Miller, Esq.: 202.341.2127 Three-Day Hearing in Innocence Case in Bradenton, FL Innocence Project Attorney’s Litigate for New Trial for Derrick Williams Derrick Williams’ attorneys from the Innocence Project of Florida... Read More >
Florida Exoneree to Appear on German Television
Released on December 9, 2010James Bain Makes Second Trip to Germany Where He Has Become a Media Celebrity James Bain, who was freed last year from a Florida prison after post-conviction DNA testing proved his innocence of a 1974 rape and kidnapping, will be... Read More >
Florida Lawyer Climbs Mt. Rainier for Statewide Causes:
Released on September 7, 2010Mark Schlakman Scales Mountain for Second Year in Support of the Innocence Project of Florida and FAVACA Tallahassee, Florida—On September 5, 2010, Florida Lawyer Mark Schlakman will make the multi-day trek to the summit of Mt. Rainier to raise vital... Read More >
DNA Testing Demonstrates Derrick Williams is Innocent
Released on July 27, 2010DNA Testing Demonstrates Derrick Williams is Innocent: Williams has Served Over 17 Years for a Rape he Did Not Commit; Attorneys Call for Immediate Release Bradenton, Florida—On Monday, July 26, 2010, DNA Diagnostics Center, a nationally recognized forensic laboratory in... Read More >
New Wrongful Conviction Press Conference in Bradenton, FL on July 27th
Released on July 26, 2010New Wrongful Conviction Press Conference in Bradenton, FL New DNA Test Results Prove Derrick Williams’ Innocence This Tuesday, July 27, 2010, Derrick Williams’ attorneys from the Innocence Project of Florida will hold a press conference to release new DNA test... Read More >
Press Release: Innocent Man Accepts Compensation For Wrongful Incarceration
Released on February 15, 2010Innocent Man Accepts Compensation For Wrongful Incarceration Leroy McGee Holds Press Conference; Vows to Fight for Reform of State Compensation Law Ft. Lauderdale, Florida—On Tuesday February 16, 2010, Leroy McGee will hold a press conference to accept $179,000 in compensation... Read More >
Key Senator Expresses Support for Formation of Important Innocence Commission
Released on February 11, 2010Key Senator Expresses Support for Formation of Important Innocence Commission Senator Mike Haridopolos Sends Letter to Florida Supreme Court Pledging Legislative Assistance Tallahassee, Florida —The Petitioners seeking the establishment of an Innocence Commission in Florida have received several signifiant indications... Read More >
James Bain to Ring Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Receive Award on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Released on January 15, 2010Innocent Man Named Honorary Bell Ringer for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Florida DNA Exoneree James Bain to Ring Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Receive Award Tallahassee, Florida—On Monday, January 18, 2010, James Bain will be honored by the Philadelphia... Read More >
Press Release: James Bain to Be Released
Released on December 17, 2009James Bain Set For Release Based on DNA Test Results Proving Innocence Bain has Served Over 35 Years for a Rape he Did Not Commit Tallahassee, Florida—On Thursday, December 17, 2009, James Bain is set for release following a short... Read More >
DNA Testing Demonstrates IPF Client James Bain is Innocent
Released on December 10, 2009DNA Testing Demonstrates James Bain is Innocent Bain has Served Over 35 Years for a Rape he Did Not Commit; Attorneys Call for Release by Christmas Tallahassee, Florida—On Thursday, December 9, 2009, DNA Diagnostics Center, a nationally recognized forensic laboratory... Read More >
Alan Crotzer to Testify Before Congressional Subcommittee on Indigent Defense
Released on June 3, 2009Alan Crotzer to Testify Before Congressional Subcommittee on Indigent Defense Florida Man Spent 24 Years in Prison for Someone Else’s Crime On Thursday, June 4, Alan Crotzer will join two other members of the National Committee on the Right to... Read More >
Seth’s Update, April 28, 2009
Released on May 5, 2009At the Innocence Project of Florida, we are always looking for new ways to better communicate with our friends and supporters, as well as increase awareness about our work. In that spirit we’re pleased to share with you our first-ever... Read More >
William Dillon to Speak at Rotary Club Event in West Palm Beach, Florida
Released on April 28, 2009William Dillon to Speak at Rotary Club Event in West Palm Beach, FloridaMr. Dillon Spent 27 Years in Prison Before DNA Testing Proved His Innocence William Dillon, who was wrongfully convicted of a 1981 murder and served 27 years behind... Read More >
American Heritage School to “Bowl for the Innocent”
Released on April 23, 2009American Heritage School to “Bowl for the Innocent”Innocence Project of Florida Plans to Attend Event On Friday, April 24, American Heritage School will host “Bowl for the Innocent,” an event planned to raise funds for innocent people who have been... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida Files Amicus Brief with Supreme Court of Florida
Released on April 2, 2009Innocence Project of Florida Files Amicus Brief with Supreme Court of Florida IPF Urges Court to Allow Defendants to File for New Trial Based on FBI Junk Science Today the Innocence Project of Florida (IPF), along with The Innocence Network,... Read More >
Photographer, Human Rights Advocate Scott Langley to Present at Florida State
Released on March 16, 2009Photographer, Human Rights Advocate Scott Langley to Present at Florida State Innocence Project of Florida will Attend and Table at Community Outreach Event World-renowned photojournalist and human rights advocate Scott Langley will be presenting a photo documentary project on the... Read More >
Science Shows Jacksonville Man’s Innocence After 21 Years
Released on March 3, 2009Science Shows Jacksonville Man’s Innocence After 21 Years Billy Joe Holton could become 2nd Man Exonerated from Duval County in Two Years The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) last week filed a Motion for a New Trial on behalf of... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida Asks State Attorney to Test DNA in Case of Wayne Tompkins
Released on February 25, 2009Innocence Project of Florida Asks State Attorney to Test DNA in Case of Wayne Tompkins Serious Doubts Remain About the Guilt of a Florida Man Executed February 11 The Innocence Project of Florida today sent a letter to the Hillsborough... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida Plans to Test Tompkins Evidence
Released on February 16, 2009For Immediate Release Innocence Project of Florida Plans to Test Tompkins Evidence Tompkins could be First Ever Executed Man to be Proven Innocent Today the Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) reiterated its intent to test the remaining DNA evidence in... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida Moves to Preserve Evidence in Tompkins’ Case
Released on February 11, 2009For Immediate ReleaseInnocence Project of Florida Moves to Preserve Evidence in Tompkins’ Case Says DNA Testing Could Reveal that Man Scheduled for Execution is Innocent of Murder Today the Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) is filing a motion to preserve... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida Urges Governor to Stay Wayne Tompkins’ Execution
Released on February 10, 2009For Immediate Release Innocence Project of Florida Urges Governor to Stay Wayne Tompkins’ Execution New Round of DNA Testing Could Answer Lingering Questions about Victim’s Identity The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF), in a letter signed by their Executive Director... Read More >
Judge Overturns Jimmy Ates’ Conviction: Use of Junk Science Leads to Release
Released on December 18, 2008Press ReleaseDecember 17, 2008 Today, pursuant to an agreement between the State and defense, First Judicial Circuit Judge William Stone vacated the conviction of Jimmy Ates. Mr. Ates will walk out of the Okaloosa County Jail later today after serving... Read More >
Brevard County Drops Charges Against William Dillon
Released on December 10, 2008For Immediate Release Today the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office dropped all charges against William Dillon for the 1981 murder of James Dvorak in Canova Beach, Florida. Mr. Dillon served 27 years for a crime he did not commit, equaling... Read More >
Innocent Man Released After 27 Years
Released on November 18, 2008Innocent Man Released After 27 Years DNA Reveals Widespread Corruption in Brevard County Today, at approximately 5 p.m., William Dillon will walk out of Brevard County Jail after being freed pending trial. Last Friday, the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court vacated his... Read More >
DNA Testing Demonstrates William Dillon is Innocent
Released on July 28, 2008DNA Testing Demonstrates William Dillon is Innocent Dillon has Served Nearly 27 Years for a Murder he Did Not Commit; Attorneys Call for Immediate Release Tallahassee, Florida—On Monday, July 28, 2008, Orchid Cellmark, a nationally recognized forensic laboratory in Farmers Branch,... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida to Rally for State’s Victims of Wrongful Imprisonment
Released on February 29, 2008Innocence Project of Florida to Rally for State’s Victims of Wrongful Imprisonment The Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) will sponsor a rally on the steps of the old Capitol on the first day of the legislative session, Tuesday, March 4th,... Read More >
Innocence Project of Florida to Establish Exoneree Emergency Fund
Released on December 6, 2007Innocence Project of Florida to Establish Exoneree Emergency Fund Donations Sought to Help Provide Basic Necessities to Exonerated Persons Released from Prison On Tuesday, December 4, 2007, the Innocence Project of Florida (IPF) announced the state’s 9th DNA exoneration with... Read More >
Innocent Man Walks Free After Fourteen Years of Wrongful Incarceration
Released on December 4, 2007Innocent Man Walks Free After Fourteen Years of Wrongful Incarceration Prosecutors drop murder and attempted rape charges against Chad Heins after DNA testing on a trifecta of evidence found on the victim proves that an unknown man committed these crimes... Read More >