Leonard “Raheem” Taylor - Midwest Innocence Project

The Midwest Innocence Project, the Innocence Project, and Philips Black have requested Governor Parson appoint an independent board of inquiry to evaluate the conviction and death sentence of Leonard “Raheem” Taylor. Taylor has always maintained his innocence; he was 1,800 miles away at the time of the crime. Yet, despite credible evidence of his innocence at the time of trial, as well as new compelling pieces of evidence since discovered, no factfinder has ever been presented with Taylor’s claim of actual innocence—due to no fault of his own. It would be an intolerable injustice for Leonard Taylor to be executed without a full and fair resolution on the question of his guilt or innocence. A Board of Inquiry would provide that resolution and is necessary to ensure the public can have faith in our criminal justice system. Read the rest of the letter to Govoner Parson here.