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Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 2
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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie 7
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau 12
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Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 17
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Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Brooke Pinto 22
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Councilmember Zachary Parker Councilmember Christina Henderson 27
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Councilmember Matthew Frumin 32
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION 36
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 40
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To commemorate and recognize October 2nd, 2023, as International Wrongful Conviction Day 44
in the District of Columbia. 45
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WHEREAS, International Wrongful Conviction Day was established on October 2, 2013, 47
by the Innocence Network to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful 48
convictions ; 49
WHEREAS, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, there have been 3,360 50
exonerations since 1989 in the United States; 51
WHEREAS, further according to the National Registry of Exonerations, 26 of the 3,360 52
individuals exonerated since 1989 were sentenced in the District, 53
WHEREAS, of the 26 people exonerated, all are men, 62% are Black, 23% are White, 54
and 8% are Hispanic; 55
WHEREAS, the personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful convictions are 56
immeasurable; 57
WHEREAS, psychological research shows that those who are wrongfully convicted 58
suffer mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, 59
anxiety, depression, institutionalization, and personality changes; 60
WHEREAS, the District is grateful to the attorneys who work to exonerate those who are 61
wrongfully convicted; 62
WHEREAS, the former Chief Judge of the DC Superior Court, Robert E. Morin, prior to 63
being a judge, advocated for over a decade as a defense lawyer specializing in death-penalty 64
cases; 65
WHEREAS, in 1993, Judge Morin represented Kirk N. Bloodsworth, an Eastern Shore 66
waterman who was freed from prison in 1993 after DNA evidence cleared him of the 1984 rape 67
and murder of a 9- year-old Baltimore girl; 68 3
WHEREAS, according to the Innocence Project, Kirk Bloodsworth was the first 69
American to be sentenced to death and then subsequently exonerated by DNA evidence; 70
WHEREAS, Kirk Bloodsworth is now a published author and an effective advocate for 71
the rights of those who are wrongfully convicted; 72
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia recognizes International Wrongful Conviction Day 73
and thanks Judge Morin for his dedication to the residents of the District of Columbia and for 74
working to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted; 75
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 76
resolution may be cited as the “International Wrongful Conviction Day Ceremonial Recognition 77
Resolution of 2023”. 78
Sec. 2. The Council recognizes International Wrongful Conviction Day in the District of 79
Columbia and honors the important work of attorneys and organizations that work to end 80
wrongful convictions. 81
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in 82
the District of Columbia Register. 83