Innocent on Death Row

An evening with Juan Melendez – exonerated death row prisoner and founder of Voices United for Justice Project

Colorado Mountain College and Steamboat Local Group chapters of Amnesty International will host a presentation by Juan Melendez on Monday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at Steaming Bean Coffee, located downstairs in the 7th Street Mall.

Melendez was wrongfully accused and convicted of murder after a five day trial in 1984 and served more than 17 years on death row in the state of Florida. There was no physical evidence tying Melendez to the murder scene. His conviction was overturned in 2002 when a previously withheld taped confession by another suspect was discovered and one of only two key state witnesses recanted his story.

The death penalty was reinstated in the United States in 1976; since that time more than 1,200 individuals have been executed while more than 130 have been exonerated after having been on death row. An unknown number of innocent men and women may have been executed.

The United Nations, under Eleanor Roosevelt’s leadership, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Amnesty International holds that the death penalty is in violation of this declaration on human rights.

Since his exoneration and release from death row on Jan. 3, 2002, Melendez has shared his story of survival and hope with tens of thousands of people in the United States, Canada and Europe. His experience was featured in the acclaimed documentary, Juan Melendez 6446.

There will be a question and answer session with Melendez and attorney Judi Caruso, director of the Voices United for Justice Project, following the presentation. The event is free and everyone is welcome.