Innocence Project Exoneree Shot To Death in Chicago

Michael Saunders, age 42, was tragically shot and killed in Chicago last month.

Photo: Erin G. Wesley\Innocence Project

We are heartbroken to share that Michael Saunders, age 42, was tragically shot and killed in Chicago last month. Michael was wrongly convicted at the age of 15 along with three other teenagers for the rape and murder of a woman on the Southside of Chicago.

They were coerced into falsely confessing to the crime over the course of a two-day police interrogation.

Since his exoneration in 2012, Michael had become a father, entrepreneur, and advocate for people returning to their communities after incarceration.

Michael will be deeply missed by his loved ones and Innocence Project staff.

Learn more about his story.

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