“A petition for the exoneration of Eric Riddick, a Pennsylvania inmate who was sentenced to life in prison in 1992 for first degree murder, has received over 2,780 signatures since three Georgetown University students created it March 29…Alexander Buffone (COL ’20), Kendell Long (COL ’19) and Taylor Riddick (COL ’19), students in Professor Marc Howard’s “Prison Reform Project” class, created the petition as part of the Georgetown’s Prisons and Justice Initiative’s “Making an Exoneree” project.”

“A wrongfully convicted New York man who became known for his drawings of lush golf courses has reunited with the Georgetown University students who helped get him freed after 27 years in prison.

Valentino Dixon received a warm applause when he visited the university Thursday night for the "Golf Art Saved Me, Georgetown Set Me Free" panel.”

“A team of Georgetown undergraduate students and professors helped exonerate Valentino Dixon, who spent 26 years in prison after being found guilty of murder, on Sept. 19. Three undergraduate students in professor Marc Howard’s spring 2018 “Prison Reform Project” seminar assisted with the case, unearthing new evidence that led to Dixon’s release.”

“The development came, in large part, due to the work of three Georgetown University students. They took a closer look at Dixon's case as part of a course for the "Prison Reform Project." The course was taught by Marc Howard, director of the university’s Prisons and Justice Initiative, and Marty Tankleff. Tankleff is Howard's childhood friend who was wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 18 years.”

“A group of undergraduates at Georgetown University have played an instrumental role in freeing Valentino Dixon, a Buffalo, NY man who was wrongfully convicted of murdering a man in 1991. 

On Wednesday, Dixon was freed after more than 26 years in prison, fully exonerated of all murder charges in court. The same day, Lamarr Scott, the man who has repeatedly confessed to the killing on camera since it happened in 1991, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault in the death of Torriano Jackson in court.”

“A group of undergraduates in a unique “Prison Reform Project” course have conducted investigations into four murder cases that may one day lead to the release of individuals thought to be wrongfully convicted. Marc Howard, director of the university’s Prisons and Justice Initiative, taught the course with his childhood friend Marty Tankleff, who was wrongfully convicted of murdering his parents and served almost 18 years in several maximum security prisons in New York.”

Marc Howard helped his childhood friend Marty Tankleff get out of prison; in turn Tankleff inspired Howard to embark on a legal career focused on exonerating wrongly imprisoned individuals.

Now, they are now teaching a course at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., "Making an Exoneree," where they examine the cases of incarcerated men they believe are innocent.