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Guests at the OIP gala

WKRC-TV: OIP celebrates 20th anniversary with John Grisham, exonerees and gala event

By Sherry English Email Sherry

2 minute read May 19, 2023

The Ohio Innocence Project at the University of Cincinnati College of Law celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala event that featured world-renowned author John Grisham, a host of exonerees and an afterparty with the Exoneree Band on Thursday, May 18, 2023. With 800 attendees coming together to support the efforts of the OIP, the evening’s events included the world launch of its newest video highlighting the origins of the organization and featuring many of the individuals who have been exonerated over the last 20 years.

Additionally, the event raised over $500,000 for the Ohio Innocence Project thanks to our generous event sponsors and event attendees during the Fund the Mission moment led by Bob Herzog.

OIP 20th Anniversary Video

WKRC-TV, Channel 12, ran a story featuring the OIP and the celebration. It included interviews with exonerees Marcus Sapp and Charles Jackson and co-founder and former Cincinnati mayor John Cranley. Spectrum News also published a story, including an interview with exoneree Raymond Towler.

Group photo at top and photos of the event by Joseph Fuqua. Video by Barry Rowen.

A few scenes from the event

Michael Whiteman, University of Cincinnati College of Law Interim dean, Haider Ala Hamoudi, JD , University of Cincinnati College of Law new dean, Mark Godsey, Director Ohio Innocence Project, Professor of law University of Cincinnati the College of Law, faculty, staff, students, OIP board and exonerees enjoyed their OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

OIP gala at Music Hall

John Grisham, Author spoked during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

World renowned author John Grisham

Michael Whiteman, University of Cincinnati College of Law Interim dean, Haider Ala Hamoudi, JD , University of Cincinnati College of Law new dean, Mark Godsey, Director Ohio Innocence Project, Professor of law University of Cincinnati the College of Law, faculty, staff, students, OIP board and exonerees enjoyed their OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

OIP gala at Music Hall

John Grisham, Author spoked during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

World renowned author John Grisham

Exoneree Ricky Jackson, middle posed for a photo with guest during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

OIP gala guests take a group selfie

Left to right Dick Rosenthal, family, author John Grisham, former City of Cincinnati mayor John Cranley and Mark Godsey, Director Ohio Innocence Project, Professor of law University of Cincinnati the College of Law posed for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Dick Rosenthal, Kitty Strauss Rosenthal, John Grisham, John Cranley and Mark Godsey

Exoneree Ricky Jackson, middle posed for a photo with guest during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

OIP gala guests take a group selfie

Left to right Dick Rosenthal, family, author John Grisham, former City of Cincinnati mayor John Cranley and Mark Godsey, Director Ohio Innocence Project, Professor of law University of Cincinnati the College of Law posed for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Dick Rosenthal, Kitty Strauss Rosenthal, John Grisham, John Cranley and Mark Godsey

Left to right Mary J. Davis, Ashland, Inc-Spears Distinguished Research Professor of Law, University of Kentucky, J. David Rosenberg College of Dean, John Grisham, Author, Haider Ala Hamoudi, JD, University of Cincinnati College of Law new dean and Michael Whiteman, University of Cincinnati College of Law Interim dean posed for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Guest, John Grisham, incoming Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi and Interim Dean Michael Whiteman

Exoneree Richard Horton, middle posed with family for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Cassandra Harmon, OIP freed client Richard Horton, Janette Horton and Alfred Harmon

Left to right Mary J. Davis, Ashland, Inc-Spears Distinguished Research Professor of Law, University of Kentucky, J. David Rosenberg College of Dean, John Grisham, Author, Haider Ala Hamoudi, JD, University of Cincinnati College of Law new dean and Michael Whiteman, University of Cincinnati College of Law Interim dean posed for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Guest, John Grisham, incoming Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi and Interim Dean Michael Whiteman

Exoneree Richard Horton, middle posed with family for a photo during OIP 20th Anniversary Gala at Music Hall and Ballroom Thursday May 18, 2023. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II

Cassandra Harmon, OIP freed client Richard Horton, Janette Horton and Alfred Harmon

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