SAVE Jimmy Dennis in Pennsylvania
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NEWS
May 2017
JIMMY DENNIS WALKS FREE FROM PENNSYLVANIA DEATH ROW
Statement of Jimmy Dennis released through his lawyers:
I am so full of gratitude for the support I received from friends, family and the lawyers
who stuck with me through this long and difficult process," Dennis said. "My focus right now is on reconnecting with my family and getting on with my life and doing some positive things. After more than 25 years in prison for a crime I did not commit, you can imagine that I have a lot of emotions and I really appreciate everyone respecting me, my family, and our privacy at this time.
I continue to pray for the truth.
Read more
Who is Jimmy Dennis
On March 2011, Gov. Corbett signed a death warrant for Jimmy Dennis. Another federal judge stayed the execution, before a judge finally quashed his conviction in August 2013. His friends and family petitioned the authorities to do everything within their power to obtain justice for Jimmy Dennis and help secure his rightful exoneration and release. In May 2017, Jimmy Dennis walked free from Pennsylvania death row.
Dennis, then a 21-year-old aspiring singer from West Oak Lane, was the only suspect arrested or charged. He contended he had been riding a SEPTA bus from his father's home at the time of the killing, an alibi later corroborated by another bus rider.
On March 2011, Gov. Corbett signed a death warrant for Jimmy Dennis. Another federal judge stayed the execution, before a judge finally quashed his conviction in August 2013. His friends and family petitioned the authorities to do everything within their power to obtain justice for Jimmy Dennis and help secure his rightful exoneration and release. In May 2017, Jimmy Dennis walked free from Pennsylvania death row.
Dennis, then a 21-year-old aspiring singer from West Oak Lane, was the only suspect arrested or charged. He contended he had been riding a SEPTA bus from his father's home at the time of the killing, an alibi later corroborated by another bus rider.
Case summary:
On October 22, 1991, two high school students, Chedell Williams and Zahra Howard,were walking up the steps of the Philadelphia Fern Rock SEPTA station when two men approached them yelling, “Give me your fucking earrings!” The girls fled down the s teps;Howard hid behind a nearby fruit stand, while Williams ran into the street. The two men pursued Williams. One of them held a gun to her neck and shot her. The men then fled up the street, where they jumped into a car and sped away. Witnesses said there must have been a third participant who drove the vehicle, given how fast the perpetrators left the scene. Emergency services arrived within minutes, but Williams was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the shooting.Dennis ’ conviction was based solely on shaky eyewitness identifications from three witnesses, the testimony of another man who said he saw Dennis with a gun the night of the murder, and a description of clothing seized from the house of Dennis’ father that the police subsequently lost before police photographed or catalogued it.
There was virtually no physical evidence presented at trial; Although the crime was committed by at least two people, Dennis was the only person ever arrested or convicted for the crime. Dennis was convicted almost entirely through eyewitness identification.
In 2016, the full US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the overturning of Jimmy's conviction in a 9-4 decision. Jimmy Dennis was to be freed or retried within 90 days. In May, 2017, Jimmy Dennis has been set free.
On October 22, 1991, two high school students, Chedell Williams and Zahra Howard,were walking up the steps of the Philadelphia Fern Rock SEPTA station when two men approached them yelling, “Give me your fucking earrings!” The girls fled down the s teps;Howard hid behind a nearby fruit stand, while Williams ran into the street. The two men pursued Williams. One of them held a gun to her neck and shot her. The men then fled up the street, where they jumped into a car and sped away. Witnesses said there must have been a third participant who drove the vehicle, given how fast the perpetrators left the scene. Emergency services arrived within minutes, but Williams was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the shooting.Dennis ’ conviction was based solely on shaky eyewitness identifications from three witnesses, the testimony of another man who said he saw Dennis with a gun the night of the murder, and a description of clothing seized from the house of Dennis’ father that the police subsequently lost before police photographed or catalogued it.
There was virtually no physical evidence presented at trial; Although the crime was committed by at least two people, Dennis was the only person ever arrested or convicted for the crime. Dennis was convicted almost entirely through eyewitness identification.
In 2016, the full US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the overturning of Jimmy's conviction in a 9-4 decision. Jimmy Dennis was to be freed or retried within 90 days. In May, 2017, Jimmy Dennis has been set free.
| august_2016_jimmy_dennis_court_opinion.pdf |
Message of Jimmy Dennis after his stay of execution
What the judge said
James Dennis, the petitioner, was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to die for a crime in all probability he did not commit. I will grant Dennis’ habeas petition, vacate his conviction and death sentence, and require the Commonwealth to retry Dennis within 180 days or let him free (August 2013).
Read judgment here
James Dennis, the petitioner, was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to die for a crime in all probability he did not commit. I will grant Dennis’ habeas petition, vacate his conviction and death sentence, and require the Commonwealth to retry Dennis within 180 days or let him free (August 2013).
Read judgment here
What his supporters said
"Everyday in America we ask our children to pledge allegiance to the flag.
We ask our citizens to trust a system that promises to "protect and serve" But there are segments of the population and entire groups of our people that are denied this "liberty and justice for all". After 22 years, it seems that Jimmy Dennis will finally see that truth and justice can prevail over power and ego. This case should serve as a reminder to us all that there is no worthier cause than freedom and truth".
Jennifer Thompson, activist and co-author of Picking Cotton
What actress Susan Sarandon said
Statement from August 2013: "Justice has been served. I am very happy for Jimmy Dennis, his family and supporters who have worked and prayed for this day."
Statement from August 2013: "Justice has been served. I am very happy for Jimmy Dennis, his family and supporters who have worked and prayed for this day."
How you can help
Please spread the word and sign the petition.
Please spread the word and sign the petition.
Find out more
His personal campaign website www.jimmydennis.org
Facebook
Media
His personal campaign website www.jimmydennis.org
Media
- Judge's ruling: James Dennis Murder Conviction Overturned
- Death Sentence for Wrongfully Accused Arnold & Porter Client James Dennis Vacated After 20 Years in Prison | Arnold & Porter LLP
- Wrongful Conviction Case Is a Tragic Comedy of Errors | Courthouse News Service
- We Need an Accounting of America's Innocent Prisoners | The Huffington Post
- Innocence Blog: Pennsylvania Capital Murder Conviction Overturned | Innocence Project
- The Playing Field is Uneven | A Public Defender
- Jimmy Dennis and Pennsylvania's Grave Miscarriage of Justice | The Huffington Post
- Innocence Blog: Important Decision on Misidentifications | Innocence Project
- The Beat Goes On | The Atlantic Center For Capital Representation
- If Jimmy Dennis was unjustly sentenced, why is he still on death row? | NewsWorks
- PA: Another Death Sentence out of DA Seth Williams’ Office Vacated on Account of Withheld Evidence | The Open File
- "A grave miscarriage of justice" | ACLU of Pennsylvania
- Prosecutorial Misconduct in Philly… Again | PADP
- Inevitable flaws should bring an end to Pa.'s death penalty: Editorial | PennLive
- POSSIBLE INNOCENCE: Federal Judge Throws Out Pennsylvania Conviction As 'Grave Miscarriage of Justice' | Death Penalty Information Center
- James Dennis' conviction is overturned after 21 years on death row | Equal Justice USA
- Citing 'miscarriage of justice,' judge overturns murder conviction | The Philadelphia Inquirer
- ‘A Grave Miscarriage Of Justice’: Court Tosses Out Conviction Of Man Who Spent 21 Years On Death Row | ThinkProgress
- Federal judge overturns Phila. man's 1992 murder conviction
- Judge overturns conviction of man on death row for 21 years | NY Daily News
- Overturned Conviction Shines Spotlight on PA's Death Penalty | NBC Philadelphia
- Pennsylvanie : la condamnation à mort de Jimmy Dennis annulée | Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort
- USA: Todestraktgefangener bald frei? | Indymedia
- The Jimmy Dennis Story | Justice Denied
- Jimmy Dennis - Todestraktgefangener USA | Indymedia
