Mightycause Announces Partnership With The Innocence Network
Razoo is proud to announce our new partnership with The Innocence Network. The Innocence Network is an affiliation of organizations from all over the world that provide pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted of crimes.
Mightycause will provide fundraising support for Innocence Network member organizations across the country, providing a platform for their organizations to raise funds online and launch fundraising campaigns to support their work with those fighting wrongful convictions.
Mightycause will also act as a resource for exonerees, giving them a place to raise funds to get back on their feet after being released from prison and rally support from their friends and families.
Exonerees Helped By The Innocence Network On Razoo
Two exonerees use Mightycause to attend The Innocence Network conference.
Eugene Gilyard and Lance Felder served 15 years in prison for a murder, based on the testimony of an eyewitness who had only seen the perpetrators for a matter of seconds. They were exonerated with the help of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project in 2014. They attended their first Innocence Network Conference the following year, bonding with fellow exonerees and attending workshops that would help them recover after their wrongful conviction. Unfortunately, funding is only available for exonerees’ first conference, and Eugene and Lance were convicted in a state that does not provide compensation for those who were wrongfully convicted. They’re fundraising to make it to the 2017 Innocence Network Conference in California.
Dion Harrell used Mightycause to help rebuild his life.
At 22, a simple case of mistaken identity caused Dion Harrell to spend four years in prison for a crime he did not commit. While he served his sentence and was released, the wrong conviction changed his life forever: Dion spent 28 years on the sex offender registry, making it impossible for him to find employment or housing, and he fell into homelessness. His local Innocence Project helped exonerate him with DNA evidence, and he started a fundraiser on Mightycause to raise money to help him start a new chapter in his life.
Darryl Howard raised funds to celebrate his freedom.
Darryl Howard was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and arson, and was freed when DNA evidence proved he did not commit the crimes. He had spent 24 years in prison due to this wrongful conviction, and while he could never get back the years he served, he started a fundraiser on Mightycause to help kickstart his new life as a free man.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact Sara at slacavalieberman@innocencenetwork.org or Bethany at Bethany@razoo.com.