Press Conference to address the Josiah Sutton Case

Houston, TX -- Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), Representative Senfronia Thompson, Representative Terri Hodge, the Houston Ministers Against Crime and criminal justice advocates will hold a press conference immediately after the court hearing for Josiah Sutton. The press conference will address the Josiah Sutton's legal case and his application for a pardon for innocence with the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The press conference will take place on Monday, April 12, 2004 in front of the Harris County Criminal Courts Building.

Josiah Sutton was released from prison over one year ago after DNA tests proved that he did not commit the rape for which he was convicted. Josiah spent 4 years in prison for a crime that he did not commit. Since that time, Josiah has been caught in the bureaucracy within the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Pending litigation in Josiahs case have made it impossible for Josiah and his lawyer to secure letters from the presiding judge and District Attorney in order to comply with rules established by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

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