NC Center on Actual Innocence

On Brandon Jones’s birthday, we pause to celebrate his life and remember the strength he showed in the face of a devastating injustice.
Brandon and Leroy Spruill lost nearly 27 years to wrongful convictions stemming from a 1993 crime they did not commit. Throughout it all, they held fast to their innocence and refused to falsely accuse one another in exchange for a plea deal.
In 2018, after years of investigation, their cases advanced before an eight-member panel of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, which unanimously found sufficient evidence of innocence to merit judicial review.
After a series of delays caused by the pandemic, Brandon and Leroy relented and accepted an Alford plea for time served so they could go home while maintaining their innocence. Brandon struggled with reentry and, burdened with the regret of not having his name cleared, on December 26, 2022, he died in a car accident which is believed, based on his correspondence, to have been a su***de.
He remains deeply missed by all of us at the Center. We honor Brandon today by continuing the fight for truth, justice, and freedom. Learn more at nccai.org. 💗

Today, we’re pausing to appreciate the moments—and people—that make this work meaningful.
We’re grateful for our clients, colleagues, supporters, and community as we continue pursuing truth and justice.
What are you grateful for today? Share in the comments. 💖🙏

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Labor Day!
This Labor Day, we honor the people whose work strengthens our communities—and we remain committed to the work of pursuing justice for those who have been wrongfully convicted. At the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, we believe every person deserves a fair chance to be heard. Today, we recognize the advocates, investigators, attorneys, supporters, and community members who help make that work possible.
Please head over to our website www.nccai.org to learn more about how you can help!

Happy National Read a Book Day! 📚
Looking for your next read? Explore these books that shed light on wrongful convictions and the systemic issues within the criminal legal system.
Ghost of the Innocent Man by Benjamin Rachlin tells the powerful story of our exoneree Willie Grimes, who was released in 2012 after spending nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. His story is both inspiring and a reminder of why this work matters. Read more at https://nccai.org/ghost-of-the-innocent-man/
Also, don't forget to visit www.nccai.org to learn more about our organization!

Happy Birthday to our client, Clifton Spencer!

Cliff was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1991. Although attempts to prove his innocence have failed so far, we believe in him and will never stop trying to bring him justice. He was released on parole in 2007, in large part due to a letter of support from the then-District Attorney, but needs his name cleared.

Learn more about Cliff’s case by listening to season 2 of the CounterClock podcast or exploring our website www.nccai.org.

On this day 19 years ago, Dwayne Dail’s conviction was vacated. He was proven innocent after over 18 excruciating years in prison for a r**e he did not commit.

Life behind bars for someone who commits a crime is undoubtedly difficult. Life behind bars for an innocent person is a tragic injustice few can comprehend.

Dwayne has been one of the Center’s biggest supporters since his release and is dedicated to paying it forward for others. We are proud and humbled to call him our friend and have him on our board.

Happy freedom-versary, Dwayne! We love you!

Today we celebrate our former client and dear friend, Happy 80th Birthday Willie Grimes!

Willie’s story is one of true strength and resilience. After being convicted in 1988 of a violent r**e he did not commit, he was sentenced to life in prison. In 2003, he contacted the Center asking for help in proving his innocence and obtaining his freedom. Years later, after we were told many times that all evidence had been destroyed, latent prints were located that not only exonerated Willie but identified the true perpetrator, who had assaulted other women as well.

In 2012, a three-judge panel declared Willie innocent, with the chair judge saying, “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, thank Jehovah, Willie J. Grimes is free at last.”

In 2017, Willie’s story was told in the book “Ghost of the Innocent Man” by Benjamin Rachlin. Learn more at www.nccai.org!

Today is National Nonprofit Day! Nonprofits are the backbone of so many communities working tirelessly, often with limited resources.
The Center’s mission to identify, investigate, and litigate claims of actual innocence and to assist in reentry of the exonerated could not be accomplished without the support of volunteers and donations.
Please visit www.nccai.org to learn more about our work and provide support. We can’t help others without your help!

Please read this important reporting on Anthony Brown's exoneration and how his story supports the need for changes to NC law governing the preservation of evidence. The Center has advocated for the changes for years and lives continue to be negatively impacted because the laws are not followed.

https://carolinapublicpress.org/80334/durham-man-cleared-in-robbery-after-serving-time-thanks-to-new-evidence/

Please join us in wishing Dominique Thorpe a very happy 54th birthday!

In 2013, Dominique was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit. Following a 2024 evidentiary hearing, during which the Center presented compelling evidence of ineffective assistance of trial counsel and perjury, Dominique’s relief was denied. We stand by Dominique’s innocence as his case is being appealed.

Please keep Dominique in your thoughts and visit www.nccai.org to learn more about his case and support our work!