Aaron Michael Howard, who was released from prison in 2008 after serving 18 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, joined community members at a church in Southeast Washington D.C. for the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project’s first ever legal clinic last week.  

Residents of the Southeast and Southwestern quadrants of the District of Columbia, as well as Prince George’s County, Maryland, attended the clinic at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church. Those in attendance learned more about MAIP’s work to correct wrongful convictions and had the opportunity to tell MAIP staff members and law students from the Innocence Project at Catholic University of America about their loved ones’ cases.

After the intake, Howard spoke to the crowd. He discussed his conviction, his time in prison, the work that his legal team did to prove his innocence, and his time since his release.  He then fielded questions from those in attendance.

The clinic was part of MAIP’s efforts to expand awareness of its work in the District of Columbia.  Because people convicted in Washington DC are sent around the country to facilities managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, it is more difficult for them to learn about and reach MAIP to investigate their wrongful convictions claims.

In the months leading up to the clinic, MAIP Board Member Gina Harps and Program Assistant Daniel Satin attended meetings of various Ward 7 and Ward 8 civic associations and meetings over the Advisory Neighborhood Council.  Harps and Satin plan on continuing their outreach and hope to have its next clinic in March.    

Click here to see more pictures of the event on MAIP’s Facebook page.

Technorati Tags: MAIP, Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project, Legal Clinic, Aaron Michael Howard

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