Great North Innocence Project

Help us free the innocent.

The Great North Innocence Project works to free the wrongfully convicted and prevent future wrongful convictions from occurring in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

We employ three main strategies: 

1. We litigate cases where newly discovered evidence can prove actual innocence.
2. We educate law students, legal professionals, and the public to address the root cause of wrongful convictions.
3. We advocate to reform the criminal-legal system and address the fundamental causes of wrongful convictions.

Join us in the fight for justice. Your support can change lives. Together, we can free the innocent and prevent future wrongful convictions. Your generosity on Give to the Max Day will have double the impact. The Thom Family Foundation will match each donation made, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.

Listen to the story of Tom, a GNIP client who was freed from wrongful conviction.

Thomas Rhodes was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder in 1998 for the tragic accidental death of his wife, Jane Rhodes, during a family vacation. Despite his innocence, he received a life sentence and was separated from his two young sons. After 25 years of wrongful imprisonment, the Great North Innocence Project, tirelessly advocating for over a decade, finally secured his freedom in January 2023.

Listen to Tom’s story of wrongful conviction and his triumph over tragedy.

Your support will allow the Great North Innocence Project to:

REVIEW applications of incarcerated people claiming actual innocence.

INVESTIGATE cases of actual innocence including interviewing witnesses, testing forensic evidence, and consulting scientific experts

FIGHT in court to prove innocence and secure freedom for the wrongfully convicted

TEACH the next generation of legal professionals about the causes, consequences, and remedies of wrongful convictions 

ADVOCATE for reforms that ensure a just legal system for all

COLLABORATE with community partners to educate the public about our mission

All donations made through GiveMN between November 1 and November 16 will be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match generously provided by the Thom Family Foundation. 

Thank you for your support this Give to the Max Day to help GNIP bring innocent people home to their families and loved ones and prevent wrongful convictions in our Great North region.

GNIP Freed Clients (L to R): Sherman Townsend, Koua Fong Lee, Richard LaFuente, Terry Olson, Michael Hansen, Javon Davis, Ronnie Cooper, Robert Kaiser, Thomas Rhodes, Cassandra Black Elk