Conviction review
Convictions that were overturned, and innocence claims courts are ruling on this week. Read what the evidence was and where it broke.
Ricky Jackson and Ronnie and Wiley Bridgeman
Ricky Jackson (born 1957), Ronnie Bridgeman (born 1957) and Wiley Bridgeman (September 21, 1954 – June 27, 2021) are three African Americans who were wrongfully convicted of murder as young men in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975 and sentenced to death. Jackson's sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in 1977, while the sentences of Bridgemans were commuted to life imprisonment in 1978. They were imprisoned for…
1981 · OhioOverturnedRaymond Towler
Ray Towler (born Raymond Towler June 16, 1957) is an American musician (guitarist, keyboardist and trumpeter) and artist (painter). On September 18, 1981, when he was 24, Towler was falsely convicted of rape, kidnapping and felonious assault in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The charges were vacated on May 5, 2010 after Towler had spent over 29 years of his life in prison for a crime he did not commit.
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Coleman
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on November 6, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…colloquy, and the defendant does not assert actual innocence. Fontanez at ¶ 47. {¶13} A criminal…”
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Abdi
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on November 5, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…which “a defendant pleads guilty yet maintains actual innocence of the charges”). {¶ 5} After accepting…”
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Goodykoontz
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on October 29, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…element. 43. Cuyahoga County was bias. 44. Actual Innocence. 45. The pictures had different backgrounds…”
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. McCrary
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on October 28, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…defendant pleads guilty but still maintains actual innocence of the charges.” Fontanez, 2026-Ohio-3291…”
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Peterson
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on October 23, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…{¶22} Further, Appellant did not assert actual innocence. “[A] defendant who has entered a guilty…”
1994 · OhioExonerated 1994Brian Piszczek
In 1991, Brian Piszczek was wrongly convicted of a rape he did not commit in Brook Park, Ohio. He was later exonerated in 1994.
2026 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Hubbard
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on July 30, 2026 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…Hubbard’s affidavit was offered as “newly discovered” evidence in Sailor’s effort to obtain a new trial…”
2001 · OhioExonerated 2001Anthony Michael Green
In 1988, Anthony Michael Green was wrongly convicted of a sexual assault he did not commit. He was later exonerated in 2001.
2005 · OhioExonerated 2005Clarence Elkins
On December 15, 2005, a Summit County, Ohio, judge vacated Clarence Elkins’ 1999 conviction for a rape and murder he didn't commit.
1996 · OhioExonerated 1996Walter D. Smith
In 1986, Walter D. Smith was wrongly convicted of a rape, kidnapping, and robbery in Ohio. He was later exonerated in 1996.
2025 · Ohio Court of AppealsIn courtState v. Reese
Ohio Court of Appeals issued an opinion on December 9, 2025 that deals with an innocence claim. From the opinion: “…unavoidably prevented from discovering newly discovered evidence. For the following reasons, we affirm…”
2011 · OhioExonerated 2011Thomas Siller
In 2011, Thomas Siller was exonerated of the murder of a 74-year-old woman in Cleveland.