Making a Real Difference
The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project is part of the Innocence Network which has been credited with the release of over 375 wrongfully convicted prisoners, mainly through the use of DNA testing. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project is the only post-conviction DNA innocence organization in the state of Michigan. Since its inception, the office has screened over 6,000 cases and is responsible for the exoneration of eight individuals: Kenneth Wyniemko (2003), Nathaniel Hatchett (2008), Donya Davis (2014); LeDura Watkins (2017), and most recently in 2021; Kenneth Nixon (Feb. 18, 2021), who spent over 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Gilbert Poole (May 26, 2021), who spent 32 years wrongfully imprisoned, Corey Quentin McCall (June 25, 2021), who spent nearly 16 years wrongfully imprisoned, and George DeJesus (March 22, 2022), who spent nearly 25 years wrongfully imprisoned. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project also helped to exonerate Lacino Hamilton, Ramon Ward, and Terance Calhoun.
WMU-Cooley Innocence Project Panel Discussion
Such a powerful event on September 15, 2022, hosted by the WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project and a panel of exonerees who shared their stories of wrongful conviction and gave advice on how everyone can help to right the wrongs in the criminal justice system.
Support the Project's Work
The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project offers help to prisoners at no cost to them. Please support this vitally important work through your donation.
OR Mail your donation directly to:
WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project
300 S. Capitol Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Have you watched THE INNOCENCE FILES ON NETFLIX yet?
The nine-episode series gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at 8 wrongfully convicted people, including Kenneth Wyniemio, WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project's first exoneree. Make sure to watch Wyniemko's feature story (Episode 9 - The Prosecution: The Million Dollar Man). You may even recognize our people in the episode, including WMU-Cooley Innocence Project Director and Professor Marla Mitchell-Cichon.
Listen to their heartbreaking stories.
George DeJesus
On March 22, 2022, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha D. Anderson set aside the conviction of George and Melvin DeJesus, who were wrongfully convicted of murder and felony firearms in 1997. At the request of the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project and the Michigan Innocence Clinic the Attorney General’s CIU reinvestigated the DeJesus brothers’ cases. The CIU interviewed numerous witnesses and reviewed decades of documents. The CIU located witness statements made within weeks of the crime, that corroborated the brothers’ alibis the night of the murder. But they also discovered more troubling facts about Gohagen. In 2017, Gohagen was convicted of the 1994 sexual assault and murder of another woman in Oakland County. Gohagen acted alone in that crime. In addition to the 1994 case, the CIU discovered 12 other women who were emotionally, physically, and sexually abused by Gohagen. The CIU also interviewed a witness who said that Gohagen confessed to implicating the brothers in exchange for a deal. Pretrial and post-conviction DNA testing never identified the brothers’ DNA at the crime scene, and there was no other physical evidence linking the brothers to the crime. Read the George DeJesus story.
Corey Quentin McCall
On June 25, 2021, Berrien County Circuit Court Judge Angela M. Pasula set aside the conviction of Corey Quentin McCall, who was wrongfully convicted of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in 2005. “There are no words to meet the moment,” Berrien County Prosecutor Steven Pierangeli said during McCall’s hearing Friday morning. “It is tragic that you served time for this offense." Assistant Attorney General Robyn Frankel, director of the Michigan Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit, and Berrien County Prosecutor Steven Pierangeli moved to have McCall’s conviction vacated and dismissed all charges. McCall is represented by Tracey W. Brame of the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Innocence Project (WMU-Cooley Innocence Project). Frankel noted that at his sentencing, Mr. McCall stated: "Sitting through this long process, I want to say that I am innocent." Read Corey Quentin McCall's story.
Gilbert Poole
On May 26, 2021, Oakland County Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot set aside the conviction of Gilbert Lee Poole, Jr. who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1989. “I have to say that I didn’t understand what was happening back in 1988 when I came to court to be tried for a murder I didn’t commit. At 22 years old, and a thousand miles away from anyone I knew, I kicked and screamed and stomped my feet and said this is not right,” Poole said during the hearing. I spent decades learning, reading, studying law, but none of that was working for me,” Poole said. “It wasn’t until I surrendered to a higher power and God stepped in and sent me a band of angels to look past the rules and regulations and looked to see who was standing in the furnace. I was standing in the furnace. I didn’t belong here. I have to thank each and every one of you, without you this wasn’t possible.” Read Gilbert Poole's story.
Kenneth Nixon
On Feb. 18, 2021, Wayne County Judge Bruce Morrow set aside the conviction of Mr. Kenneth Nixon, who was wrongfully convicted of murder, attempted murder and arson in 2005. “Mr. Nixon has worked tirelessly over the last 15 years to regain his freedom. Thanks to Mr. Nixon’s persistence and the collaboration between the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project and the Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit, Mr. Nixon will finally be reunited with his loved ones,” said his attorney, David Williams. Assistant Prosecutor Valerie Newman, Director of the Wayne County Prosecutor Office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, moved to have Nixon’s conviction vacated and requested dismissal of all charges. Nixon is represented by the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Innocence Project. Read Kenneth Nixon's story.
LeDura Watkins
On June 15, 2017, LeDura (Ledora) Watkins was released after serving almost 42 years for a robbery and murder he did not commit. Based on the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project’s motion for new trial, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office agreed to vacate the judgment of conviction and dismiss all charges in the 1975 murder of a Detroit woman. Watkins was sentenced to life without parole on April 15, 1976. The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project filed a motion for new trial on January 19, 2017. The prosecutor’s office agreed that hair comparison evidence used against Watkins does not meet today’s scientific and legal standards. In 2013, the FBI disavowed testimony by FBI-trained analysts, finding they often overstated their conclusions. The Detroit lab analysts, trained by the FBI, tied Watkins to the crime scene based on a single hair. Click to read LeDura Watkins' story.
Donya Davis
After serving almost seven years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Donya Davis was revealed to be innocent by post-conviction DNA testing. In 2013, the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project sought DNA testing under Michigan’s post-conviction law, MCL 770.16. After testing was ordered, the results excluded Davis as the source of male DNA. In light of the new evidence, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office did not oppose WMU-Cooley Innocence Project’s motion for a new trial. Donya Davis was released from prison pending a new trial on June 20, 2014. All charges were dropped by Wayne County Prosecutors in November 2014. Click to read Donya Davis' story.
Nathaniel Hatchett
Nathaniel Hatchett was 17 years old when he was arrested in Michigan for a rape he didn’t commit. Although DNA testing pointed to his innocence before trial, he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. When the evidence was located in the State Police crime lab, The WMU-Cooley Innocence Project requested that new DNA testing be conducted. In 2008, the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project filed a motion for a new trial. Prosecutors agreed to support the motion, and then filed for the dismissal of all charges against Hatchett. He was released from prison on April 14, 2008. He served a decade in prison before new DNA tests led to his exoneration. Click to read Nathaniel Hatchett's story.
Kenneth Wyniemko
On June 17, 2003, Kenneth Wyniemko walked out of prison a free man after Macomb County prosecutors dismissed all charges against him. Wyniemko had been in prison since 1994, convicted of rape. Wyniemko's exoneration, after nine years of being imprisoned, was made possible by efforts of the WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project. Click to read Kenneth Wyniemko's story.
The History of the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project
In May 2001, shortly after Michigan's post-conviction DNA testing law went into effect, the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project was established at the law school. Operating as a law school clinic, the Project's dual mission is to provide legal assistance to, and secure the release of, persons who are wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit and to provide its students with an excellent learning experience. It is the only such DNA project in the state. The Project focuses on obtaining post-conviction DNA testing and false forensics.
To date, the office has screened over 5,800 cases. There are a number of cases being prepared for court and several hundred under review or investigation. New requests for assistance come into the project each week.
Once in a Lifetime Training for Law Students
WMU-Cooley Innocence Project students practice law under Michigan's student practice rule. Students screen applications, investigate facts, conduct interviews, analyze cases, prepare court pleadings and even represent clients in court. They do this all under the supervision of experience lawyers. Qualified students are selected to participate in their second or third year of law school. Project students not only have the opportunity to possibly free an innocent person from prison, but will have an experience that impresses employers.
Professor Marla Mitchell-Cichon, State Bar of Michigan Champion of Justice recipient
Contact the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project
If you have questions about the WMU-Cooley Innocence Project, email [email protected]
Contact for News & Media Information
Tyler Lecceadone
SeyferthPR
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1-800-435-9539
Terry Carella
Law School Director of Communications
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517- 371-5140, ext. 2916