Look for more details about registration coming in the next few weeks.

Please save the date!

When:
Friday, July 12
10am-4pm
Where:
Goodwin Procter Conference Center
53 State Street
Boston, MA

For more information, please call Libby Wilcosky at 617-830-7677 or e-mail lwilcosky@newenglandinnocence.org

In December 2010, Charles Wilhite, along with Angel Hernandez, was convicted of the murder of Alberto Rodriguez outside a market in Springfield, Mass. Wilhite was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez, the market’s owner, hired Wilhite to kill Rodriguez after a long-running feud. Their evidence was based primarily on eyewitness accounts placing Wilhite outside Hernandez’s store the day the shooting took place in 2008.

The first two witnesses gave different accounts of Wilhite’s alleged participation in the crime.

One, who was inside the Pine Street Market when the shooting took place, first claimed not to have seen anything. Later, however, she told police witnessed Hernandez run out of his store with a gun. She also remembered seeing two men wearing hoods by a fence near the market. When police showed her a photo lineup – albeit a lineup consisting only of lips and noses to mimic a suspect wearing a hood – the witness picked out the features belonging to Wilhite. She claimed she never got a good look at the man who actually shot the gun.

A second witness, however, identified Wilhite as the shooter a few months later.

After Wilhite and Hernadez were indicted for Hernandez’ murder, a third witness, Nathan Perez, came forward. Perez, who was in the store at the time of the shooting (but by then in jail awaiting his own trial) testified that he witnessed the crime firsthand. Hernandez, he claimed, had a gun, which he handed to Wilhite before exiting the market. Wilhite then fired three shots and ran.

After Wilhite and Hernandez were convicted and sentenced, Perez and another witness changed their testimony, opening up troubling questions about police misconduct and procedure.

While Perez was in prison, he claims detectives approached him on several occasions, asking him to identify the people he saw in the market on the day of the shooting. When Perez fingered people other than Wilhite, he was told that he would be tried as an accessory to the crime. But if he ID’ed Wilhite, his pending charges would be dropped – the police, Perez alleges, were even helpful enough to write “shooter” on the photo of Wilhite he was supposed to identify.

Perez formally recanted his testimony in August 2011, eight months after Wilhite was convicted. The next May, a judge granted a new trial, though he didn’t buy Perez’s claims of police corruption. Without the testimony of two key eyewitnesses, and no physical evidence supporting Wilhite’s guilt, a jury deliberated for six hours before finding him not guilty.

“I think what happened was the police made a decision early on that Charles was the guy they wanted,” David Lewis, one of Wilhite’s lawyers, told a reporter at New England Public Radio. “And the investigation, instead of being open… was about confirming that view.”

And while the district attorney felt he had enough evidence to reconvict Wilhite, he acknowledged that police need better methods of obtaining reliable witness testimony. According to a 2004-05 study by the Northwestern University School of Law Center on Wrongful Convictions, there have been at least 51 men on death row nationwide who have been exonerated due to faulty jailhouse “snitch” testimony.

Charles Wilhite maintained his innocence throughout his legal ordeal. Once released, he was reunited with his girlfriend, Victoria, and his young daughter, Iesha.

- Gretchen Gavett
photo credit Isaiah Dyer

Sources:
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/issues/causesandremedies/snitches/SnitchSystemBooklet.pdf

http://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=4100

http://www.nepr.net/news/charles-wilhite-found-not-guilty-case-poses-challenges-prosecutors

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/jury_finds_charles_wilhite_not.html

It was wonderful to meet so many inspiring people and to hear their stories. There were over 500 attendees, including 100 exonerees, at this year’s conference. The Network Conference provides an opportunity to foster community among exonerees and those who work on innocence issues. NEIP case assistant Cassie Macaione reflects on the weekend: “This year’s Innocence Network Conference was a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world who share the same passion as we do here at NEIP. The skills that I learned over the course of the weekend will truly help me throughout the course of my academic and professional years to come. I am so glad to be part of such an amazing community of people.” The Network Conference is the largest gathering of its kind and allows different Projects to come together and learn from one another. Local radio station WUNC 91.5 was at the conference and spoke with exonerees Audrey Edmonds and Bennie Starks about the struggles they have faced to clear their names. Joining them were Innocence Netowork President Keith Findley and Innocence Project attorney Vanessa Potkin. Listen to the piece here.

NEIP was also excited to honor Norwood Police Chief Bill Brooks, this year’s winner of the Innocence Network’s Champion of Justice Award. The award is given to public servants who go above and beyond in their efforts to free the wrongly convicted or reform the criminal justice system to prevent wrongful convictions. Chief Brooks has been a police academy instructor for over 25 years and a presenter on eyewitness identification for five years. He has partnered with many members of the Innocence Network and made a tremendous impact on eyewitness identification and other innocence-related reforms. He has traveled the country speaking to a range of criminal justice stakeholders and has trained thousands of members of law enforcement personnel on scientifically supported best practices related to eyewitness identification. NEIP is partnering with Bill Brooks and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police to collect and analyze eyewitness identification procedures from police departments across the state. In conjunction with a SJC Study Group on Eyewitness Identification, the project aims to understand the prevalence of reform based policies containing best practices for eyewitness identification in the state of Massachusetts and explore ways to expand their use. This work will be used to help influence a new model policy regarding eyewitness identification that will be issued later in 2013.


Top Left: NEIP Exoneree Scott Hornoff reads his original poetry. Scott began writing poetry when he was in prison for a crime he did not commit. Above Right: NEIP Staff recognizing Bill Brooks for his accomplishment at the NEIP office. L-R: Libby Wilcosky, Outreach Coordinator; Reyna Ramirez, Development Coordinator; Drew Pappone, Staff Attorney; Cassie Macaione, Case Assistant; Bill Brooks, Chief of Norwood Police; Criselda Ruiz, Interim Executive Director; Stan Fisher, NEIP Board Member, Professor of Law Bottom Left: NEIP Team at the Network Conference. L-R: Libby Wilcosky, Outreach Coordinator; Criselda Ruiz, Interim Executive Director; Reyna Ramirez, Development Coordinator; Noreen Toomey, Senior Paralegal; Liz Regan, Senior Paralegal; Lindsey Kelly, Former Intake Assistant; Cassie Macaione, Intake Assistant Bottom Right: Exoneree band performing for the Innocence Network.

We want to thank the law students at Roger Williams University Law School who helped to make the event a reality. The night was a huge success that we hope to make an annual tradition!

Top Left: Dennis Maher tells the story of his wrongful conviction. April 1, the date of the fundraiser, was the 10-year anniversary of when Dennis received the call from his attorney telling him that he would be going home.
Bottom Left: Guests won some great raffle prizes!
Bottom Right: (L-R): Betty Anne Waters; Joshua Xavier, RWU Law; Criselda Ruiz and Reyna Ramirez, NEIP Staff; Dennis Maher; Libby Wilcosky, NEIP Staff; Caitlyn Smith and Garrett Marshall, RWU Law; Cassie Macaione, NEIP Staff

Where: 2nd floor of Aidan’s Irish Pub
5 John St. Bristol, RI

Join students at Roger Williams University School of Law, Betty Anne Waters and Dennis Maher for a night supporting the New England Innocence Project. When Kenny Waters was released from prison in 2001, he had spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. During his wrongful imprisonment, his sister Betty Anne put herself through college and Roger Williams Law School, to clear her brother’s name and secure his freedom. Dennis Maher spent 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit and was exonerated based on DNA evidence. Dennis is now happily married with two beautiful children, works full-time to support his family, and will celebrate his 10th anniversary of freedom on April 3.

The night will feature free appetizers and a raffle with great prizes, including tickets to the Providence Performing Arts Center, Pawtucket Red Sox, and Golf at East Greenwich Country Club.

Thank you to our sponsors at Roger Williams School of Law: Multicultural Law Student Association (MCLSA), Association for Public Interest Law (APIL), and the Constitutional Law Society. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. Please contact Reyna Ramirez (rramirez@newenglandinnocence.org) at the New England Innocence Project or Joshua Xavier (josh.d.xavier@gmail.com) at RWU Law with any questions.


Top Left: Betty Anne Waters with her brother Kenny on the day he was released from prison.
Bottom Left: Dennis Maher with his mother walking out of the courthouse a free man after spending 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/Courtesy of The Boston Globe.)
Bottom Right: Dennis Maher and Betty Anne Waters meeting for the first time on the day of Dennis’ release.

The day will include a raffle and games for kids. Tickets are $5/person or $15/family and will be available at the door. For more information, please contact Reyna Ramirez at rramirez@newenglandinnocence.org or 617-830-7683.

When: Sunday, April 28th, 1-5pm
Where: Tewksbury Wilmington Elks Club 777 South Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876

Top Left: Dennis Maher with his attorney Aliza Kaplan on the day of his release.
Bottom Left: Dennis Maher with his mother walking out of the courthouse a free man after spending 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. (Photo by Suzanne Kreiter/Courtesy of The Boston Globe.)
Bottom Right: Dennis Maher’s daughter Aliza, named after the attorney who worked on his case for years.

Read a 2007 NYT in-depth investigation of the case here.

View more details about the Princeton event here.

The Position
The Executive Director of the New England Innocence Project (NEIP) serves as its chief executive officer/top-level executive and reports directly to its Board of Trustees. NEIP provides pro bono assistance to inmates in the six New England states who have claims of actual innocence and works on policy matters affecting issues of wrongful conviction. Guided by the mission, vision and values of the organization, and working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic direction for NEIP. The Executive Director manages and oversees all aspects of the organization, including operations, casework, finances, personnel, development, programming and community relations.
Crucial qualities in the Executive Director include excellent judgment, impeccable ethics, outstanding oral and written communication skills, flexibility, the ability to solve problems collaboratively, to work in a group as well as individually, to effectively handle multiple tasks with competing priorities and to interact effectively with a wide range of persons.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Executive Director’s scope of responsibilities includes:

Organizational Oversight

• Operational Management: Responsible for ensuring for effective, timely and comprehensive identification of instances of possible wrongful convictions in New England states, overseeing research and investigation of cases, identification of counsel and support for representation; develops and maintains relationships with New England area law schools and universities for student review of cases; develops and maintains relationships with New England area legal community including law enforcement, public and private defense, relevant agencies and the judiciary; monitors and legal and political matters affecting wrongful convictions and develops NEIP policies on these issues; and serves as chief spokesperson of the organization.

• Fiscal Management: Develops the annual budget and manages the organization’s finances; works with staff to prepare quarterly financial reports for the Board; facilitates the annual audit; implements appropriate accounting policies and procedures; reviews and analyzes monthly financial reports and bank reconciliations; oversees facilities; and prepares Annual Report to the Innocence Network.

• Internal Management: Effective staff management, including establishing and revising positions to meet changing needs; collaborating with staff to set program priorities; oversees recruitment, employment and release of office personnel, including paid staff and volunteers; ensures sound human resource practices are in place for all personnel; maintains office policies and procedures and ensures staff and Board compliance; ensures maintenance of official records and documents; maintains proper wage and salary management, benefits, and accounting for staff time; and ensures efficient use of office equipment and IT.

Development

• Responsible for establishment and execution of development strategy for NEIP; in conjunction with staff and board members, establishes and achieves development goals for donated and earned income; oversees events and individual giving.

• Responsible, in conjunction with staff, for effective identification of grant opportunities; oversees all grant applications and grants management.

• Maintains and enhances existing donor relationships, identifies and develops new funding sources.

Other

• Chief Staff Liaison to the Board in all NEIP matters; works collaboratively with the Board of Directors and its committees to develop and implement the strategic direction of the organization; keeps Board fully informed of NEIP’s operations and condition.

• Promotes active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of NEIP’s work.

• Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments in forensic sciences and in the field of wrongful convictions.

Qualifications
• Interest in innocence issues and working to prevent wrongful convictions.
• At least five years of professional experience in the non-profit sector.
• Bachelor’s Degree required. J.D. or advanced degree in business or non-profit management strongly preferred.
• Business background. Experience with, and functional understanding of, budgeting and fiscal management.
• Proficient understanding of non-profit organizations and/or experience working with non-profit Boards of Directors; knowledge of nonprofit finances and budgeting.
• Experience or familiarity with the legal community preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in development.
• Grant writing experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work as a team player while both leading the team and the organization.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining the organization and meeting deadlines.
• IT knowledge including literacy in common computer applications.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, make independent decisions and to handle emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers.

Terms
• Compensation dependent on qualifications and experience.
• Accepting resumes until March 15, 2013.
• To apply please send your cover letter and resumé to intake@newenglandinnocence.org. Please do not send any materials via snail mail.

Staff Attorney Criselda Ruiz will be serving as Interim Executive Director.

Throughout his career, Meier has shown a strong desire to see justice achieved. During his time as a prosecutor, he helped to free several people who had been wrongfully convicted, in addition to putting criminals behind bars.

Read the full article about David Meier here.