Witness to Innocence

On May 26, 2026, justice was finally served for Jermal Shuler, Marc Brittingham, and Rasheed Turner. A judge officially vacated their 1997 murder convictions, exonerating the three men after they spent more than 28 years behind bars for a crime they did not commit.

For nearly three decades, they lived with the weight of wrongful convictions missing birthdays, holidays, and everyday moments that can never be returned. Their exoneration is a powerful reminder of both the resilience of the human spirit and the urgent need for continued reforms within the justice system.

While no court decision can give them back the years they lost, May 26, 2026, marks a long-overdue acknowledgment of the truth. Their case underscores the importance of accountability, thorough investigations, and the ongoing fight to prevent wrongful convictions in the future.

Exoneree Sabrina Butler-Smith speaking at the Social worker convention in New Orleans on the role of Advocacy for women on Deathrow,with Sister Helen Prgean and Sandy Joy.

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/they-poked-and-poked-tennessee-attorneys-demand-halt-to-ex*****ons-after-botched-lethal-injection

'They poked and poked': Tennessee attorneys demand halt to ex*****ons after botched lethal injection Defense attorneys say the state's 2025 lethal injection protocol is broken and are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to halt all ex*****ons while courts review the process.

https://wreg.com/news/tn-lawsuit-claims-lethal-injection-violates-8th-amendment/

TN lawsuit claims lethal injection violates 8th Amendment MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Defense attorneys filed a complaint asking the court to rule lethal injection as unconstitutional under the 8th amendment, according to court documents. This comes after Tony…

https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/05/25/defense-attys-want-tennessee-governor-pause-all-ex*****ons-after-tony-carruthers-failed/

Defense attys. want Tennessee governor to pause all ex*****ons after Tony Carruthers’ failed Carruthers was set to be executed on Thursday, May 21, but the ex*****on was canceled after a failed lethal injection.

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/nashville/legal-experts-weigh-in-failed-ex*****on-tony-carruthers/51-3c192e57-1752-484b-a987-43d19012f720

Legal experts weigh in on the failed ex*****on of Tony Carruthers The ex*****on was called off after medical personnel could not administer the lethal injection. Lawyers state there have been issues with the procedure for years.

This morning I woke up to seeing the headlines “Man convicted of killing a woman and her 4-year-old daughter is executed in Florida.” I was at the vigil across from Florida State Prison as the ex*****on took place. I got wet from the storming rain, hoping he knew I was standing with him.
The headlines triggered my emotions and depression, because I was in the court room many times with Richard Knights case. Richard and I had the same Judge Eileen O’Connor. While Judge Eileen O’Connor worked for the U.S. Attorney office in Fort Lauderdale, two co-workers had file complaints on her. The first complaint alleged that Eileen had discriminated against a black section chief. Another complaint charged Eileen with discrimination against a Jewish prosecutor.
Richard and I was the Judge first death penalty cases. She had just got her death qualification status. I received a death sentence in her courtroom with no evidence linking me to the crime. In fact, the Florida Supreme Court in a 7-0 vote, voted that I should be Acquitted and that I should have been granted relief by Judge O’Connor.
Richard received a death sentence, even though the prints on the murder weapon didn’t belong to him. I was in the courtroom when motion were argued, and I spoke to Richard in the holding cell every time we were waiting for court. It was more to the case, and Richard shouldn’t have receive that death sentence. Now I am sitting here looking at these headlines, asking myself what does justice look like? How could they force someone to die when it’s reasonable doubts? If the prints on the murder weapon belongs someone else, every person who knows about this case this would have questions, but the State of Florida don’t ask question, THEY JUST KILLED HIM!

Sorry Richard Knight with Love and Support,
Herman Lindsey

While Mr. Carruthers was going through a botched ex*****on in Tennessee, Mr. Richard Knight was being executed in Florida. He too was seeking DNA testing. It’s sad when the states refuse to listen to claims of innocence.

https://share.newsbreak.com/ii4nnrrp

https://wreg.com/news/tn-death-row-inmate-ex*****on-set-for-thursday/

Carruthers granted temporary 1-year reprieve by Gov. Lee MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced he is issuing a temporary one-year reprieve after death row inmate Tony Carruthers’ ex*****on was stalled due to medical complicat…

https://metro.co.uk/2026/05/19/man-death-row-fights-conviction-hypnotised-witness-identified-28419139/

Death row inmate fights conviction after 'hypnotised' witness identified him Charles Flores was convicted of the murder of Elizabeth 'Betty' Black 26 years ago.