Most Rehabilitated Prisoner in the U.S.: Wilbert Rideau
Representation of rehabilitated prisoner in his fourth trial for murder.
Principal Attorneys
George Kendall, Laura Fernandez
Description
African American defendant Wilbert Rideau has been acclaimed as America's most rehabilitated prisoner and his cause for freedom from 44 years of incarceration attracted national and international attention. Rideau underwent three trials where murder convictions rendered by all-white, all-male juries in Louisiana had been overturned. At his fourth trial, Rideau had a mixed race jury in Louisiana.
Status
Jury verdict of manslaughter, resulting in client's freedom after 44 years in prison.
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Chad Heins
Murder and sexual battery charges against Chad Heins, who had been incarcerated for 10 years, were dismissed based on DNA results.
Principal Attorneys
Robert Beckham, Albert Chin
Co-Counsel
Barry Scheck, Nina Morrison, Robert Link
Description
In 1996, Chad Heins was convicted in Duval County, Florida, of the murder and sexual battery of his sister-in-law, Tina Heins, and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Results of the DNA testing of the fingernail scrapings excluded both Chad and his brother, Jeremy, as the source of male DNA collected under the victim's fingernails. The court awarded a new trial based on DNA evidence.
Status
On December 4, 2007, the state attorney's office announced the dismissal of the murder and sexual battery charges against Chad Heins based on the DNA evidence and the court ordered his immediate release.
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7th Circuit Criminal Appeals
20 firm lawyers handled six cases on appeal before the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Description
Chicago attorneys accepted appointments from the 7th Circuit to handling pro bono appeals of importance where the defendants were unrepresented.
Status
One total victory, several partial victories.
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False Confession: Joseph Dick – "The Norfolk 4"
Case of factual innocence for four young sailors who confessed to crimes they did not commit.
Principal Attorneys
George Kendall, Harmony Loube, Samuel Spital
Description
Four young sailors confessed and were charged for the rape and murder of a young woman near the naval base in Norfolk, Va. However, DNA excluded all of the sailors as donors of critical evidence retrieved from the victim. Another man confessed to the crime and his DNA was a match. The firms representing the sailors filed a joint clemency petition in November 2005. www.norfolk4.com
Status
Seeking an absolute and total pardon from current Virginia Governor.
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Florida Innocence Project
Representation of clients with innocence claims
Principal Attorneys
Chris Annunziato, Brett Barfield, Elizabeth Bevington, Sarah Butters, Guy Farmer, Tracy Nichols, Danielle Price, Chris Bellows, Stephen Brannock, Chris Kolos, Hank Jackson
Description
Lawyers in Florida offices assisted and continue to represent prisoners in motions for post-conviction DNA testing.
- Luis Diaz released from prison on DNA evidence.
- Lemuel Haywood, convicted rapist, awarded a new trial based on DNA evidence.
Status
Several motions granted; several denied; others pending.
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