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Midwest Innocence Project

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Midwest Innocence Project
AbbreviationMIP
FoundedOctober 2001
Founded atUniversity of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
Type501(c)(3)
Tax ID no. 43-1914499
Headquarters300 E 39th St., Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Region served
Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Legal Director
Rachel Wester
Executive Director
Tahir Atwater
Board President
Matt Jacober
AffiliationsInnocence Network
Revenue$1.73 M USD (2024)
Expenses$2.01 M USD (2024)
Websitethemip.org
Formerly called
Midwestern Innocence Project

Midwest Innocence Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) legal organization headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. It works to exonerate wrongfully convicted people in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. It engages in investigation and pro bono litigation on behalf of its clients, as well as education about and advocacy for exoneration of the wrongfully convicted. Founded in 2001 through the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, MIP is now an independent organization in the Innocence Network and maintains partnerships with law firms, law schools, and public defender's offices. As of 2026, eighteen of its clients have been released from prison, twelve of which have been exonerated.

History

[edit]

MIP was founded in 2001 at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law as law school clinic.[1][2][3] It emerged during the broader "innocence movement" that followed the founding of the Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1992.[4][5][6] Tax filings indicate that MIP became independent of the UMKC School of Law in 2004.[7]

In 2013, Robert Nelson was released from Crossroads Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri and exonerated after serving thirty years in prison. Nelson was MIP's first client to be released and the first to be exonerated after DNA testing proved his innocence.[8][9]

In 2014, MIP formed a partnership with the Project for Innocence at the University of Kansas School of Law. The following year, Floyd Bledsoe of Kansas became MIP's second client to be released and exonerated.[10][11][12] MIP also formed a partnership with the Iowa State Public Defender Wrongful Conviction Division and merged with the Nebraska Innocence Project in 2015.[13][14]

MIP launched a social work program in 2020, and also entered a partnership with the MacArthur Justice Center.[15][16] In 2021, it established a joint fellowship program with the law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.[17]

While representing Lamar Johnson in 2019, MIP worked with St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner, who alleged there was police and prosecutorial misconduct in Johnson's 1995 trial and filed a motion for a new trial.[18][19] At the time, Missouri law did not authorize elected prosecutors to seek a new trial after a conviction had become final, and the Missouri Supreme Court denied Gardner's motion in March 2021. Later that year, however, the Missouri General Assembly enacted Missouri Revised Statutes § 547.031, which authorizes elected prosecutors to file a motion to vacate a judgment based on evidence of a convicted person's innocence.[20] MIP, along with Johnson's other attorneys and Gardner, subsequently filed a motion under the new statute.[21][22] In 2023, the motion was granted and Johnson was exonerated.[23] MIP used § 547.031 in cooperation with elected prosecutors in the exonerations of Kevin Strickland in 2021 and Christopher Dunn in 2024.[24][25]

In 2026, MIP announced that it was running out of funding because of cuts to federal grants and shrinking private donations. It predicted that it could cease operations as soon as October 2026.[26]

Activities

[edit]

Exonerations

[edit]

MIP engages in investigation and legal representation to prove its clients' innocence and then to achieve their exoneration.[4] MIP only represents clients who claim they are actually innocent of the crime they were convicted for, are located in its territory, are incarcerated with at least ten years remaining on their sentences, have exhausted their ability to appeal their convictions, and are not otherwise represented by an attorney.[27]

As of 2026, twelve of MIP's clients have been exonerated.[12]

Releases from prison

[edit]

As of 2026, six of MIP's clients have been released from prison without being exonerated, despite MIP contending they are innocent.[12]

  • Juneal Pratt was incarcerated for more than forty-one years in Nebraska following his conviction for a 1975 rape. He was granted parole and released from prison in 2017.[51][52]
  • Rodney Lincoln was incarcerated for more than thirty-six years in Missouri following his conviction for a 1982 murder. In 2018, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens commuted Lincoln's sentence without pardoning him.[53][54]
  • Faye Jacobs was incarcerated for twenty-six years in Arkansas following her conviction for a 1992 murder. In 2018, she was resentenced to time served and released from prison after the United States Supreme Court ruled that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole in Miller v. Alabama.[55][56]
  • Anthony Dixon was incarcerated for more than twenty-eight years in Missouri following his conviction for a 1993 rape. He was granted parole and released from prison in 2021.[57]
  • Michael Politte was incarcerated for more than twenty-three years in Missouri following his conviction for a 1998 murder. In 2022, he was granted parole and released from prison after the United States Supreme Court ruled that juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole in Miller v. Alabama.[58][59]
  • Celester McKinney was incarcerated for more than twenty-five years in Kansas following his conviction for a 1997 murder. He was granted parole and released from prison in 2023.[60][61]

Social work

[edit]

As of 2026, MIP employs one full-time social worker who provides mental health and support services to incarcerated and freed clients.[62][63]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Palmer, Kyle (March 9, 2016). "After 'Making A Murderer,' Midwest Innocence Project Says People Are Eager To Help". KCUR. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Information Sheet" (PDF). Midwest Innocence Project. October 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  3. ↑ Stiglitz, Jan; Brooks, Justin; Shulman, Tara (2002). "The Hurricane Meets the Paper Chase: Innocence Projects New Emerging Role in Clinical Legal Education Emerging Role in Clinical Legal Education". California Western Law Review. 38 (2): 11 – via Scholarly Commons.
  4. 1 2 "MIP About Us". Midwest Innocence Project. November 30, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Steiker, Carol S.; Steiker, Jordan M. (Winter 2005). "The Seduction of Innocence: The Attraction and Limitations of the Focus on Innocence in Capital Punishment Law and Advocacy". The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. 95 (2): 618–619. JSTOR 3491346 – via JSTOR.
  6. ↑ Smith, Abbe (2010). "In Praise of the Guilty Project: A Criminal Defense Lawyer's Growing Anxiety About Innocence Projects". University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law and Social Change. 13: 316, 319 – via Scholarly Commons.
  7. ↑ "Midwestern Innocence Project Inc: Form 990-EZ for period ending June 2005". 2004. Retrieved June 7, 2026 – via ProPublica.
  8. 1 2 Hayes, Chris (June 15, 2013). "Court clerk fired for helping free wrongfully convicted man". NBC News. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Robert Nelson". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  10. ↑ Paget, Mindie (September 22, 2014). "Law students taking on more cases through new partnership with Midwest Innocence Project". University of Kansas. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Paget, Mindie (Spring 2016). "Innocence Found". KU Law Magazine. p. 22. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 "Clients". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  13. ↑ Petroski, William (October 26, 2015). "Branstad: State will investigate wrongful convictions". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  14. ↑ Hammel, Paul (October 15, 2015). "Nebraska Innocence Project merges with regional group, plans to hire first paid legal director". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Midwest Innocence Project Annual Report 2022" (PDF). Midwest Innocence Project. 2022. p. 29. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  16. ↑ King, Chris (October 11, 2020). "Wrongful Conviction Project launched in St. Louis – Midwest Innocence Project partners with MacArthur Justice Center". The St. Louis American. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  17. ↑ "2026 January Dispatch". The Midwest Innocence Project. 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ Hoerner, Emily (July 26, 2019). "St. Louis prosecutor agrees with defense on wrongful conviction; but is that enough?". Injustice Watch. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ Sanchez, Ray; Cera, Dave (August 29, 2019). "He's served 24 years for a murder prosecutors say he didn't commit, but he's been denied a new trial". CNN. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ RSMo. § 547.031 (2021).
  21. ↑ Rivas, Rebecca (August 31, 2022). "St. Louis prosecutor asks court to free Lamar Johnson after nearly 30 years in prison". Missouri Independent. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Midwest Innocence Project Annual Report 2022" (PDF). Midwest Innocence Project. 2022. p. 2. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Salter, Jim (February 14, 2023). "Judge vacates conviction of man imprisoned nearly 3 decades". Associated Press. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Jackson County Prosecutor calls for freeing of inmate after 43 years in prison". Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. May 10, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ Salter, Jim; Hollingsworth, Heather (July 30, 2024). "Missouri man is free from prison after a judge overturned his 1991 conviction, despite AG's efforts". Associated Press. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  26. ↑ Hudnall, David (July 13, 2026). "The last hope for wrongfully convicted Midwesterners is in crisis | Hudnall". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Submit a Case". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Floyd Bledsoe". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ Pelletiere, Nicole (June 12, 2017). "Man imprisoned for 17 years now freed after lookalike mix-up: 'I made it through'". ABC News. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Richard Jones". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ Lowe, Peggy (October 19, 2022). "An innocent Kansas man spent 23 years in prison. His release exposed decades of police corruption". KCUR. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Lamonte McIntyre". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  33. ↑ Bayless, Kacen (May 7, 2025). "He was in prison for 23 years for a crime he didn't commit. Now, KCPD will pay $14M". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Ricky Kidd". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Arkansas inmate released from prison after judge overturns murder conviction". KATV. September 19, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  36. ↑ "BREAKING: The State of Arkansas". Midwest Innocence Project. September 11, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2026 – via Facebook.
  37. ↑ "John Brown". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  38. ↑ White, Ashley; Nelson, McKenzie; Hartle, Sam (November 5, 2020). "Wyandotte County DA dismisses murder charge against Pete Coones". KSHB. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Olin "Pete" Coones". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  40. ↑ "A man who was wrongfully convicted of 3 murders in 1979 is now free". NPR. November 24, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Kevin Strickland". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  42. ↑ Moore, Katie (July 1, 2020). "Judge reduces bond for man jailed more than five years awaiting trial in Lawrence". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  43. ↑ Clark, Mackenzie (December 22, 2021). "Cases against Rontarus Washington Jr., Albert Wilson dismissed". The Lawrence Times. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Rontarus Washington". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Lamar Johnson". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  46. ↑ Boyette, Chris (May 16, 2023). "St. Louis prosecutor files motion asking court to set aside the conviction of a man serving a life sentence for murder". CNN. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  47. ↑ Wimbley, Lacretia (July 31, 2024). "Christopher Dunn walks free after Missouri Attorney General loses fight to keep him in prison". KCUR. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Christopher Dunn". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  49. ↑ Lowe, Peggy (October 30, 2025). "Men allegedly framed by Roger Golubski sue Kansas City, Kansas, and police department". KCUR. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Cedric Warren". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  51. ↑ Kelly, Bill (May 18, 2017). "Four decades after rape conviction, Omaha man gets parole; maintains his innocence". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Juneal Pratt". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  53. ↑ DiAntonio, Nicole (June 3, 2018). "Man in prison for St. Louis murder freed after 36 years of maintaining his innocence". FOX 4. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Rodney Lincoln". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  55. ↑ Truesdell, Jeff (February 3, 2022). "Freed but Not Free: Convicted as a Teen, Woman Who Served 26 Years for Murder Fights to Clear Her Name". People. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Faye Jacobs". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Anthony Dixon". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  58. ↑ Woodbury, Emily (April 24, 2025). "Michael Politte is out of prison, but his battle for exoneration isn't over". STLPR. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Michael Politte". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  60. ↑ Henneberger, Melinda (June 1, 2023). "After 25 years in Kansas prisons, cousins convicted of killing Golubski nephew go free | Opinion". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Celester McKinney". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  62. ↑ Kraske, Steve; Jackson, Halle (April 28, 2026). "Midwest Innocence Project marks 25 years of freeing the wrongfully convicted: 'Growing momentum'". KCUR. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Courtney Ellis". Midwest Innocence Project. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
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