UC Law Students Gain Experience Through Ohio Launch Of Innocence Project

Six convictions of Ohio prisoners are currently under intensive review by University of Cincinnati law students, as the nationally known Innocence Project begins work in Ohio for the first time.

Work through the Innocence Project nationally has resulted in freedom for more than 130 wrongfully convicted inmates, some of whom were on death row in their respective states. Ohio, which had one of the largest prison populations without access to an Innocence Project, will now have one based at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

The standard for the Ohio Innocence Project is high -- unlike the role of a traditional criminal defense attorney who must advocate on behalf of his client regardless of guilt or innocence, the Ohio Innocence Project maintains an interest in a case only so long as a credible claim of innocence remains viable.

The current six cases receiving a full work-up came from an initial screening of more than 250 requests for assistance by Ohio prisoners.

Under the supervision of former federal prosecutor Mark Godsey, a UC assistant professor of law and Ohio Innocence Project faculty director, and Cincinnati City Councilman John Cranley, who also serves as the Ohio Innocence Project administrative director, 19 law students began working full time on Innocence Project cases this past summer. The students will continue working part-time on their cases throughout the school year, for which they will receive class credit.

These cases provide a unique and challenging practical experience, as they involve tools like cutting-edge DNA technologies and new digital technology that allows for the unprecedented enhancement of old video surveillance films.

The mission of the Ohio Innocence Project is not only to identify Ohio prisoners who might be innocent and obtain their release, but also to provide practical legal experience for law students that cannot be matched in the classroom or in most legal jobs available to law students.

UC law student Mike Cappel says of his experience thus far with the project, "As a fellow with the Ohio Innocence Project, I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime. I can openly challenge my beliefs of innocence and guilt and work on cases of people that have maintained their actual innocence. What more can a person who hopes to enter the legal profession ask for but the opportunity to work for justice."

To determine whether a case meets the specified criteria for consideration, students typically read the prisoner's trial transcript to see the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution's case at trial. The students then perform preliminary investigations into some of the cases to determine if new evidence, such as DNA testing, could possibly exonerate the prisoner.

Organizing efforts for an Ohio Innocence Project began in 2002. Those efforts were led by Cranley and noted Cincinnati criminal defense attorney William Gallagher, who helped organize several private fund-raising events.

The Ohio Innocence Project is funded entirely through private donations.