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Media Advisory - Rubin “Hurricane” Carter to speak for the establishment of an Innocence Commission

April 12, 2005

What: Rubin “Hurricane” Carter will address the Illinois Senate, after which The Downstate Illinois Innocence Project at the University of Illinois at Springfield will hold a news conference with Dr. Carter and Keith Harris, an Illinois man exonerated in 2003, to announce an initiative to establish an Innocence Commission in Illinois.

When & Where: Wednesday, April 13
Carter will address the Senate shortly after 11 a.m.  The news conference with Carter and Harris is at 12:15 p.m. in the Statehouse Press Room. 

Background: Establishing an Innocence Commission in the state is an effort to address the problem of many individuals who spend years in prison before they can obtain exoneration despite evidence of their innocence.

The need for such legislation is illustrated by the case of Keith Harris, who was exonerated by Governor George Ryan after spending 22 years in prison.  Harris was convicted based on mistaken eyewitness identification and remained in prison despite the fact that evidence had been developed showing his innocence.

Please note: Carter will also make a presentation at 7:15 p.m. that evening in the PAC Studio Theater at UIS. This program is free and open to the public.

Contact: Larry Golden at 553-7171