Cooley Law’s Innocence Project to host wrongful conviction panel 

On Sunday, June 14, Cooley Law School Innocence Project will host a panel discussion, “Inside the Innocence Movement: A Panel Discussion with the Freed and Exonerated,” featuring exonerees Dell Crawford and brothers George and Melvin DeJesus. The event, beginning at 1 p.m., will be held in Cooley’s lobby, 300 S Capitol Ave. in Lansing.

George DeJesus and Melvin DeJesus were exonerated on March 22, 2023, after 25 years in prison, while Crawford was exonerated on March 24 after serving 17 years in prison.

Attendees will hear their first-hand accounts of how flaws in Michigan's criminal justice system resulted in them being wrongly convicted and what it took for them to finally be exonerated. Attendees will also hear from Cooley Law School Innocence Project staff about their work on behalf of those who have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated, and have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what they can do to recognize and prevent wrongful convictions.

Ann Garant, co-director for the Cooley Law School Innocence Project, will facilitate the event.

This event is free and open to the public.

Author to join Summer Book Club hosted by WBA, BWLAM June 17

The Women’s Bar Association (WBA), Oakland County region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, along with the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan will present a Summer Book Club event on Wednesday, June 17, beginning at 6 p.m. at  Mother Handsome, 14661 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Ste. 500 in Oak Park.

The book for this month will be “The Tiny Things Are Heavier” by Esther Okonkwo, assistant professor of English; African and African American Studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  This debut novel follows a Nigerian immigrant as she tries to find her place at home and in America—an epic about love, grief, family, and belonging.  Okonkwo will be joining the group for this discussion providing a unique opportunity to really dive into the material and discuss the struggle everyone faces in truly finding and making a home. 

Participants are asked to bring $10 to the event, or ask for WBA's Zelle QR Code, to assist with the ordering of drinks and food.  Mother Handsome has a variety of pizza, snacks, coffee, and other beverages. To register or for any questions, email Natasha Rao at natasha-rao@hotmail.com.

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