Foundations & History
The year the Ohio Innocence Project was founded
2003
This type of evidence has freed the most exonerees in Ohio Innocence Project cases.
DNA evidence
An acronym for the scientific test most used in exonerations
DNA
They assist in investigations, document review, and case prep
law students
The state that enacted reforms influenced by OIP advocacy.
ohio (dumb question)
The university that hosts the Ohio Innocence Project
university of cincinnati school of law
Example city connected to the Raymond Towler/Ronald Jones DNA case
Cleveland
When a witness wrongly identifies an innocent suspect
Mistaken eyewitness identification
People who review evidence and interview witnesses for OIP cases. (inferred from OIP operations)
investigators
reform area to reduce wrongful convictions
eyewitness identification procedures
The name of the first exoneree helped by the project
Clarence Elkins
Spent 27 years in prison before exoneration with OIP’s help
Charles Jackson
The high standard of proof in criminal trials. (general legal knowledge)
beyond a reasonable doubt
people who file motions and argue the exoneration cases
attorneys
OIP helps educate police and prosecutors on best practices.
Training for law enforcement
The founder or key founder figure of the Ohio Innocence Project
Mark Godsey
A major legal change was pushed after cases exposing flaws in how eyewitness testimony was handled
Eyewitness identification reforms
Legal doctrine preventing relitigation of acquitted offenses. (general legal knowledge)
double jeopardy
Formerly wrongfully convicted people who now educate and push for reform (e.g., Robert McClendon, Charles Jackson
exoneree advocates
Legislation that improved access to post-conviction relief and DNA preservation.
innocence protecton act
The legal principle central to OIP's mission (hint: freeing the wrongly convicted)
"innocent until proven guilty"
OIP cases have included wrongful convictions based on unreliable statements, also known as...
False confessions
Used when evidence like DNA surfaces after conviction. (general legal knowledge & context from OIP work)
Motion for new trial based on new evidence
director/co-founder of the ohio innocence project
mark godsey
A statutory change allowing DNA testing after conviction
post-conviction DNA testing expansion