Innocent & Free After 26 Years

Hello! My name is Johnny Tall Bear. In 1992, I was sentenced to Life Without Parole for a murder I did not commit. On Monday, June 11, 2018, after 26 years in prison, and with the help of the Innocence Project, I was finally exonerated based on new DNA evidence that showed the original crime lab analyst gave false evidence at my trial.

 I went through many trials and tribulations while falsely imprisoned, but I got through by being positive. I survived being on death row for two years, rarely seeing daylight, with only a bare light bulb hanging from my cell to light my way.

 Now that I am finally free, I need a new form of light to help me find my way. Although asking for assistance is not something I would ever normally do, I realize that I need a lot of help to get me back on my feet and rebuild my life.

Thank you for all of your help. I truly appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart.

Learn more about my story here 

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Photo by Nick Oxford of Johnny Tall Bear walking out of the Court House with Innocence Project Senior Staff Attorney, Karen Thompson