History

 

GIP History

1999
Calvin C. Johnson Exoneration

Calvin is Georgia's first DNA exoneree and his exoneration inspired the creation of the Georgia Innocence Project. He went on to serve on GIP's board and as board President.

2002
GIP is Founded

Georgia Innocence Project is founded by two Georgia State law students.

2003
Georgia Post Conviction DNA Testing Statute

The state statute allows any person convicted of a crime to petition for post conviction DNA testing with the court that entered the judgement of conviction. GIP played an instrumental role in the passing of this statute.

2004
Clarence Harrison is Exonerated
Clarence Harrison is Exonerated

Clarence Harrison, Georgia Innocence Project’s first exoneree, served nearly 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. He was released in 2004 after post-conviction DNA testing conclusively proved his innocence.

2005
Robert Clark Exonerated

Robert was exonerated in December 2005, and walked out of prison an innocent man. At the time of his arrest, he was 21 years old, the father of a 5-year-old son, and lived with his mother, who never lost faith in him throughout his trial and incarceration.

2007
Pete Williams Exonerated

On January 23, 2007, after serving over 22 years of a 45-year sentence, Pete Williams was released from prison at the age of 45. When asked how it felt to be released after all the years he spent in prison, Pete said, “Being free—nothing can replace that."

John White Exonerated
John White Exonerated

John White walked out of prison a free man on December 10, 2007, after spending over 27 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

2009
Michael Marshall Exonerated

On December 14, 2009, more than two years after being wrongfully convicted, Michael Marshall was set free after post-conviction DNA testing proved his innocence.

2015
Michael Googe Exonerated

A unique partnership between the Georgia Prosecuting Attorneys' Council, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Innocence Project led to the exoneration of Michael Googe of Brunswick, GA. He was convicted in 2007 for the burglary of a convenience store.

2020
Kerry Robinson Exonerated
Kerry Robinson Exonerated

Kerry Robinson walked out of Coffee Correctional Facility a free man on January 8, 2020, after 18 years wrongly convicted of a rape that he did not commit.

Johnny Lee Gates Exonerated

Johnny Lee Gates spent more than 43 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. On May 15, 2020, he walked free from Muscogee County Jail.

2021
Terry Talley Exonerated
Terry Talley Exonerated

Terry Talley walked out of Dooly State Prison a free man after Georgia Innocence Project, LaGrange Police Chief Lou Dekmar, and Coweta Judicial Circuit District Attorney Herb Cranford, Jr. all agreed Terry never should have been convicted of a number of violent sexual assaults in 1981.

Dennis Perry Exonerated

After more than 20 years behind bars, and just over one year after his release from prison, Dennis Perry was finally exonerated of the 1985 double murder of Harold and Thelma Swain.

Ron Jacobsen Exonerated

At 61 years old, after spending more than half his life incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Ron Jacobsen was at last fully exonerated.

Devonia Inman Exonerated
Devonia Inman Exonerated

After 23 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Devonia Inman walked out of a Georgia prison and into the arms of family in time to celebrate his first Christmas as a free man in more than two decades.

2023
Lee Clark Exonerated
Lee Clark Exonerated

After 25 years behind bars for a crime that never happened, Lee Clark was exonerated and walked out of Floyd County Jail into the arms of dozens of friends, families, and loved ones on December 8th, 2022.