The Spring 2024 class focused on five potential exonerees
who have been incarcerated for a total of ____ years (and counting).
Gary Benloss
Gary Benloss was wrongfully convicted of a murder he did not commit after being framed by police. This is his story. Through the Making An Exoneree course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Gary’s case and are advocating for his freedom.
This film was created by Adrian Ali-Caccamo, Olivia Baisier, and Sarah Tanabe from Georgetown University with support from Kate Zeigler from Georgetown Law.
To learn more about Gary and his case, visit freegarybenloss.com and follow @freegarybenloss on Instagram.
Update: Gary Benloss was released from Sing Sing in November of 2024.
Ronald Glenn
In 1985, prosecutors believed that there was insufficient evidence to charge Ronald Glenn with felony murder and robbery. Twenty-two years later, with no new evidence except for a DNA test that matched another person, Ronald was sentenced to 50 years. The man whose DNA was found at the scene stated that Ronald had nothing to do with the crime, yet he has remained in prison for 17 years and counting. Through the Making An Exoneree course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Ronald’s case and are advocating for his freedom.
This film was created by Mia Boykin, Jack Clyne, and George Abalekpor from Georgetown University, with support from Victoria Berzin from Georgetown Law.
To learn more about Ronald and his case, visit freeronaldglenn.com.
Donna Hockman
Donna Hockman is serving a life sentence in a Virginia prison for the shooting of her abusive ex-boyfriend in an act of self-defense. A myriad of photos, 911 calls, and messages documenting the horrific abuse Hockman experienced were ignored by law enforcement and prosecutors. Throughout her trial, the state relied on the testimony of witnesses who have recanted or admitted to lying under oath due to pressure from the prosecution. Hockman, who is a devoted mother of two, advocate, and writer, hopes to someday reunite with her children. Through the Making an Exoneree course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Hockman’s case and are advocating for her freedom.
This film was created by Marcos Caballero, Natalie Gilbert, and Veronica Campanie from Georgetown University, with support from Rory Farquharson and Katie Maye from Georgetown Law.
For more information, follow @freedonnahockman on Instagram.
Amanda Lewis
On August 8th, 2007, Amanda Lewis lost her children and her freedom in the blink of an eye. Her fate was sealed by the testimony of a six-year-old witness and the beliefs of an ousted medical examiner. It’s time to bring her home. Through the Making an Exoneree course at Georgetown University, students reinvestigated Amanda’s case and are advocating for her freedom.
This film was created by Esmeralda Vazquez, Ellie Sims, and Lisa Kennedy from Georgetown University, with support from Kristen Abram from Georgetown Law.
To learn more about Faarooq and his case, visit freeamandalewis.com and follow @freeamandalewis on Instagram.
Robert Ochala
Would you lie to save yourself from 50 years in prison? One man did, and now Robert Ochala, an innocent man, has been wrongfully incarcerated for 22 years for a crime he did not commit. Through Georgetown University’s Making an Exoneree course, students reinvestigated Robert Ochala’s wrongful conviction and are advocating for his freedom.
This film was created by Hannah Adler, Lucy Child, and Sunaina Sunda from Georgetown University, with support from Caroline Kelly from Georgetown Law.
To learn more about Tim and his case, visit bringbobhome.com and follow @bringbobhome on Instagram.
Anthony Mills
Anthony Mills was wrongfully convicted for a crime that happened five years earlier based only on a deeply flawed identification. Currently slated to be released in 17 years in his eighties, Mills is working hard to undo the damage of improper police investigation.
Alaa Omer, Milica Maricic, and Jessica Jean Scott from Princeton University, along with Miranda Card Lampke from Georgetown Law, reinvestigated his case through the Making An Exoneree program and are working to advocate for his freedom.
Update: Anthony Mills was released on parole in October 2024.
Peter Kenney Jr.
Peter Kenney Jr. was wrongfully convicted for murder. Despite multiple affidavits attesting that he was at a friend's house and could not have committed this crime, he was convicted based on flawed and coerced testimony. Decades later, he, his family, his community, and his attorneys are dedicated to the fight for his freedom.
Princeton University students Janny Eng, Katarina Ivkovic, Emanuelle Sippy, along with Michael Fee from Georgetown Law, re-investigated his case through the Making An Exoneree program and are working to advocate for his freedom.
Damien Phillips
Damien Phillips was wrongfully convicted for a crime the police themselves noted he did not match the description of the perpetrator. A detective with multiple complaints of misconduct coerced a scared young mother into testifying- she has since fully recanted.
Please use this link to send a pre-written email to the Philadelphia District Attorney if the QR Code does not work: https://tinyurl.com/22t28tn8 - thank you for supporting Damien.
Diya Kraybill, Mia Medic, and Genevieve Shutt from Princeton University, along with Megan Robertson from Georgetown Law, reinvestigated Damien's case through the Making An Exoneree program and are working to advocate for his freedom.
Tyrone Green
Tyrone Green has spent more than three decades in prison though he has never been accused of killing anyone.
Learn more about his case and felony murder in this documentary by Princeton University students Sam Kagan, Sophie Glaser, and Mohan Setty-Charity. Along with Georgetown Law student Isa Kaminsky, they re-investigated Tyrone's case through the Making An Exoneree program.
Please be advised that this story was told in the language of Tyrone, his advocates, an his loved ones, and uses language that may be challenging for some viewers.