Cleveland, Ohio – On October 2, 2024, the 4th Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally will take place at noon outside the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, located at West 3rd and Lakeside Ave. This important event, co-hosted by FreeTonyViola.com and EPIC (Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens), aims to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions, bringing together exonerees, legal experts, and advocates for criminal justice reform. With Cleveland being regarded as a hotspot for wrongful convictions in Ohio, the rally serves as both a protest and a platform for change, offering hope to those who have been wrongfully imprisoned.
Exonerees Take Center Stage
One of the key features of this year’s rally will be the powerful testimony from individuals who have been exonerated after spending years behind bars for crimes they did not commit. These exonerees, many of whom endured decades of imprisonment, will share their stories of survival, injustice, and the ongoing challenges they face in reintegrating into society after their release. Their stories are not just cautionary tales—they are calls to action for reforming the justice system.
Tony Viola, one of the rally’s co-sponsors and an exoneree himself, is no stranger to the fight against wrongful convictions. After being convicted of mortgage fraud, Viola was able to clear his name in a second trial, thanks in part to evidence provided by whistleblower Dawn Pasela. Viola is now an outspoken advocate against prosecutorial misconduct, stating, “Wrongful convictions aren’t mistakes but intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors, who start with a conclusion and target people for prosecution. Ending these rampant injustices should be a priority for all officials in our government.”
Ed and Karen Pasela, parents of the late Dawn Pasela, are also expected to speak in memory of their daughter, who played a key role in exposing wrongful convictions. Dawn’s untimely death during Tony Viola’s second trial has left a lasting impact on the fight for justice, with her family continuing her legacy through their support of events like this.
Exonerees Take Center Stage
One of the key features of this year’s rally will be the powerful testimony from individuals who have been exonerated after spending years behind bars for crimes they did not commit. These exonerees, many of whom endured decades of imprisonment, will share their stories of survival, injustice, and the ongoing challenges they face in reintegrating into society after their release. Their stories are not just cautionary tales—they are calls to action for reforming the justice system.
Tony Viola, one of the rally’s co-sponsors and an exoneree himself, is no stranger to the fight against wrongful convictions. After being convicted of mortgage fraud, Viola was able to clear his name in a second trial, thanks in part to evidence provided by whistleblower Dawn Pasela. Viola is now an outspoken advocate against prosecutorial misconduct, stating, “Wrongful convictions aren’t mistakes but intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors, who start with a conclusion and target people for prosecution. Ending these rampant injustices should be a priority for all officials in our government.”
Ed and Karen Pasela, parents of the late Dawn Pasela, are also expected to speak in memory of their daughter, who played a key role in exposing wrongful convictions. Dawn’s untimely death during Tony Viola’s second trial has left a lasting impact on the fight for justice, with her family continuing her legacy through their support of events like this.
Experts Demand Accountability
Joining the exonerees at the rally will be legal experts who have spent their careers advocating for justice reform. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly is one of the event’s featured speakers. Known for his commitment to transparency and fairness in the legal system, Justice Donnelly has been an outspoken advocate for reducing wrongful convictions. In anticipation of the rally, Donnelly remarked, “A wrongful conviction is the worst form of injustice that can occur in our system. We should do everything we can to prevent it from happening, but also take steps to reform the post-conviction process to remedy wrongful conviction as soon as possible.”
Attorney Kim Corral, another prominent speaker at the rally, has been instrumental in post-conviction litigation, working tirelessly to secure the release of those wrongfully imprisoned. Corral emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, saying, “It is crucially important to spread awareness about the all-too-common occurrence of wrongful convictions. This event is an opportunity to remind those harmed that they are not forgotten and that the community continues to call for change.”
Cleveland: The Epicenter of Wrongful Convictions in Ohio
Cuyahoga County, home to Cleveland, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being Ohio’s epicenter for wrongful convictions. According to The National Registry of Exonerations, there have been over 3,585 judicially recognized exonerations across the U.S. since 1989, accounting for more than 31,900 years lost. Cuyahoga County alone accounts for a disproportionately high number of these cases. The Wrongful Conviction Rally aims to confront these statistics head-on, making it clear that these are not just numbers but lives forever altered by injustice.
The rally is part of a broader national movement to recognize the personal, social, and emotional toll wrongful convictions take on innocent people and their families. Wrongful Conviction Day, a national event initiated by the Innocence Network, seeks to educate the public about the root causes of wrongful convictions and advocate for reforms to prevent them in the future. The rally in Cleveland serves as the city’s contribution to this growing movement, showing that communities can stand together to demand accountability.
A Call for Solidarity and Change
Event organizer Jeanna Kenney of EPIC is encouraging all those who have been affected by wrongful convictions to join the rally, bringing their families and voices in solidarity. “If you have a loved one incarcerated who is fighting a wrongful conviction, we encourage you to join us, bring your family, and be boots on the ground to #BringTheCrowdDowntown,” Kenney said. She also invites the public to share the event on social media and to spread the word among their communities to help grow the movement for change.
For those unable to attend the rally in person, the event will be livestreamed on YouTube, with videos of the speakers archived for later viewing. Additional speakers and sponsors are also encouraged to participate, with more details available by contacting the organizers through their official channels.
About FreeTonyViola.com and EPIC
FreeTonyViola.com was originally created as a platform to share updates about Tony Viola’s case, but has since evolved into a broader tool for shedding light on prosecutorial misconduct and wrongful convictions. EPIC, the event’s co-sponsor, is a nonprofit organization that advocates for parole reform and fair treatment of incarcerated citizens in Ohio. Together, these two organizations are committed to amplifying the voices of those wrongfully convicted and ensuring their stories are heard.
For more information about the rally, please visit FreeTonyViola.com or EPIC’s social media channels. Help spread the word by sharing the event invitation on Facebook or by following the event livestream.
Join the Fight for Justice
The 4th Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally in Cleveland is not just an event, but a movement. With exonerees and legal experts leading the charge, the rally is a powerful reminder of the work that still needs to be done to reform a broken system. Whether attending in person or virtually, this is an opportunity for everyone to stand in solidarity with those who have been wrongfully convicted and to push for real, lasting change in the justice system.
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