Idaho Innocence Project
Why we are here
It is impossible to imagine the terror of being accused, tried and convicted of a crime that you did not commit. Yet the Innocence Projects across the country have secured the freedom of more than 250 innocent men and women who suffered false imprisonment. The Idaho Innocence Project at Boise State University has brought together some of the finest legal minds in the state to offer free legal help to the wrongfully convicted. These volunteer lawyers work with University of Idaho law interns and Boise State University students to investigate and pursue claims of actual innocence. The Idaho Innocence Project team also includes forensic experts in DNA, Polygraphs, Latent Prints and Physical Anthropology (bones).
What makes us unique
We are the only Innocence Project that is directed by a forensic genetics expert, Dr. Greg Hampikian. Part of our mission is assisting other projects across the United States and abroad with DNA issues. We have established the Forensic DNA Review program, which is reviewing DNA interpretation practices across the country. As part of this effort we have identified several cases where particular laboratory standards and interpretive practices may have resulted in wrongful convictions. For an example of our cases see the two videos linked to FOX news below.
Media Links
Irish Times 2010: Idaho Innocence Director helps launch the Ireland Innocence Project at Griffith College in Dublin, Ireland.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0227/1224265260550.html
2009 Idaho Innocence Project with Death Row Exoneree Charles Fain
Top left to right: Rick Visser, Charles Fain, Greg Hampikian, Sally Studnar, and Jonathan Bolen.
Bottom row: Susan Sneed, Janet Nutting, Sherri Burnett, and Ginny Hatch.
FOX News Atlanta 2009: Coverage of an Idaho Innocence Project DNA Mixture case.
http://tinyurl.com/MixedSampleDNA
Idaho Statesman 2008: Chris Tapp convicted of the rape and murder of Angie Dodge, claims innocence.
http://www.henrysforkcountry.com/full.php?sid=171
Seattle Weekly: Burns Rafay Case, two young men convicted of murder in a “Mr. Big” sting operation.
http://www.seattleweekly.com/2008-05-28/news/my-brother-got-burned.php/3
Canadian TV News 2008: Burns Rafay Case
http://mrbigthemovie.com/video.html
New York Times 2001: Charles Fain Freed by DNA after 18 years on Idaho’s Death Row. Fain was freed by the efforts of his lawyer, D. Fredrick Hoopes. The Idaho Innocence Project is working with Mr. Fain on compensation issues. When he was released, his only compensation was that guards took him to the prison laundry for a coat and dungarees.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/24/us/death-row-inmate-is-freed-after-dna-test-clears-him.html
Idaho Innocence Project Helps Free Wisconsin Man: "The Idaho Innocence Project has helped exonerate a Wisconsin man who'd already served 24 years in jail..."
http://www.fox12idaho.com/Global/story.asp?S=10807491
Grim cases overshadow new evidence in another “There are now witnesses that have come forward with a different story … that clears Sarah and clearly implicates someone else,” said Greg Hampikian
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/aug/23/grim-cases-overshadow-new-evidence-in-another/
Progress to date
- Received over 200 case requests from Idaho prisoners.
- Actively investigating 12 Cases.
- Working with prosecutors and victims’ families to help solve cold cases where DNA evidence is present.
- Training police officers and crime lab personnel in forensic DNA analysis.
- Working with the legislature to research legal and policy issues.
- Hired an assistant director (our only paid position) through the generous support of private individuals and grants.
- In partnership with the University of Idaho, College of Law, established an internship program for law students.
- Offer undergraduate and graduate courses in Cold Case Evidence, and Forensic Biology at Boise State University.
How can you help?
Donations are being sought for:- Staff support (one full-time position)
- Audio video equipment
- Legal document processing (copying, transportation, mailing)
Volunteers are needed
These are the skills that are the needed the most:- Webmaster
- Paralegal
- Investigation
- Fundraising/Grants
- If you would like to volunteer
- Please contact Rick Visser
- richardvisser@boisestate.edu
- 208-426-4207
- Idaho Innocence Project Board, Officers
- Director: Greg Hampikian
- Fundraising Chair: Michael Hoffman
- Legal Advisory Board Co-directors: David Nevin and Dick Rubin
- Assistant Director: Rick Visser
- Paralegal: Angel O'Brien
- Web design and management: Jeremy VanDeBogart and Tim Kuhn
- idahoinnocenceproject.org
Rick Visser, Assistant
Director
Angel O'Brien, Paralegal