Innocence Inquiry Commission Featured on the All Things Judicial Podcast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | This article originally appeared on https://www.nccourts.gov/news/tag/press-release/north-carolinas-innocence-inquiry-commission-featured-on-the-all-things-judicial-podcast The latest episode of All Things Judicial features part one of a three-part series on the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. Part one is hosted by Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, and the guests are commissioners Johnson Britt, Rick Glazier, and John Boswell. This episode examines the purpose …

Innocence Inquiry Commission Holds Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | From the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission | Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director On September 28-29, 2020, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing in State v. Coatney Williams, 08 CRS 1057; 08 CRS 1059; 08 CRS 1065-66; 09 CRS 83; 09 CRS 85 (Northampton County).  The case arises from crimes committed on December …

Innocence Commission Featured in “The Evidence Log”, the Official Publication of the International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.

Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, was recently published in “The Evidence Log”, the Official Publication of the International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc. North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission Aids in Overturning Wrongful Convictions By Lindsey Guice Smith, IAPE Board Member Wrongful convictions erode the public’s confidence in the criminal justice system, but, …

Three Judge Panel Decision for James Blackmon

On August 20-22, 2019, a three-judge panel convened in Wake County to hear the case of State vs. James Blackmon (Wake – 83 CRS 84695). In 1988, Mr. Blackmon entered an alford plea for the September 28, 1979, murder of Helena Payton. At the end of the hearing, the three-judge panel unanimously concluded that Mr. Blackmon had proven by clear and convincing evidence that he was innocent of second-degree murder.

Innocence Inquiry Commission Holds Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | From the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission | Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director On June 4-7, 2019, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing related to two separate convictions for claimant Merritt Williams: State vs. Merritt Williams Drayton (Forsyth – 86 CRS 018809 – Wilson) and State vs. Merritt Williams Drayton (Forsyth – 86 …

Three Judge Panel Decision for Israel Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | From the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission | Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director On January 18, 2019, a three-judge panel convened in Mecklenburg County to hear the case of State vs. Israel Grant (Mecklenburg – 05 CRS 244094; 05 CRS 076342).  Mr. Grant was convicted for the August 15, 2005 robbery of Christina Adcock and Jason Taylor.  At …

Three-Judge Panel Holds Hearing in State vs. Israel Grant

CHARLOTTE – A three-judge panel will convene in Mecklenburg County today to hear the case of State vs. Israel Grant. On November 29, 2017, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing in State vs. Israel Grant (Mecklenburg – 05 CRS 244094; 05 CRS 076342). Grant was convicted for the August 15, 2005, robbery of Christina Adcock and Jason …

Innocence Inquiry Commission Holds Hearing

On November 14-16, 2018, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing in State vs. James Blackmon (Wake – 83 CRS 84695). Mr. Blackmon was convicted for the September 28, 1979 murder of Helena Payton in her college dorm at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, NC. During the hearing, the Commission’s Executive Director, Lindsey Guice Smith, presented the case …

Innocence Inquiry Commission Holds Hearing

On October 1-5, 2018, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing in State vs. Wallace Brandon Jones (Washington – 94 CRS 1973; 95 CRS 1965) and State vs. Leroy Spruill (Washington – 94 CRS 1566; 94 CRS 1984). Mr. Jones and Mr. Spruill were convicted for the December 18, 1993 murder and robbery of Frank Swain in Plymouth, …