Innocent on Death Row
Jimmy Dennis
Speaking Fee: Varies.
Travels From: Available Upon Request
Jimmy Dennis At A Glance:
James "Jimmy" Dennis was a prisoner on Pennsylvania death row for over 25 years before being released May 16th 2017. Dennis was wrongfully convicted of the 1991 fatal shooting of Chedell Ray Williams. He was sent to death row in 1992. And his case reveals a great deal about a hopelessly broken system that administers the law, but does not necessarily dispense justice.
James “Jimmy” Dennis was a prisoner on Pennsylvania death row for over 25 years before being released May 16th 2017. Dennis was wrongfully convicted of the 1991 fatal shooting of Chedell Ray Williams, 17, a student at Olney High School in North Philadelphia, at a bus stop over a pair of $450 earrings. He was sent to death row in 1992. And his case reveals a great deal about a hopelessly broken system that administers the law, but does not necessarily dispense justice.
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Holding Those in Power Accountable
After 25 years behind bars, two federal courts and 10 judges finally decided to vacate that conviction based on the wrongful conduct of prosecutors, detectives, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. But Pennsylvania has no statute compensating the wrongfully convicted. It offered Mr. Dennis no settlement after his legal victory. In fact, it was prepared to fight him to the bitter end. After Jimmy had finally gotten back his freedom, he started from nothing and needed help getting back on his feet. He looked to his community to pick up where the legal system left off. In this talk, Jimmy discusses his pursuit of justice for those wrongfully accused, including himself, and making sure prosecutors, police and the legal system are held accountable for their actions. -
From Death Row to Freedom
For 25 years Jimmy Dennis sat on death row, wrongfully convicted of murder. During these 25 years, Jimmy lost his entire adult life. Jimmy's daughter was still in the womb when he was arrested. Today, she has her own children, and Jimmy has never been able to hold her or them outside prison walls. Jimmy's father, a witness at his trial, died during Jimmy's legal battle, and never got to see Judge Brody's opinion, let alone watch his son finally walk out a free man. Jimmy is now, at long last, home. On Saturday, May 13, 2017, he was released from prison to start a new life— his first as a free adult man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. At the podium, Jimmy shares his experience behind bars when innocent, the challenges he faced in pursuit of freedom, and adjusting to life after a quarter-century in prison.
