First Wrongful Conviction Case
Introduction
Ellen Reasonover was OBS's first wrongful conviction campaign. Ellen Reasonover was a Black woman who was unjustly convicted of robbery and murder in 1983. She was sentenced to serve a 50-year prison sentence for a crime she did not commit. She was exonerated in 1999.
Overview
OBS became involved in the Ellen Reasonover case shortly after her conviction. OBS and Ellen finally captured the support of Centurion Ministries in 1993 to provide the legal resources to investigate the case and get it back into the courts. The relationship between OBS and Centurion Ministries would be the beginning of a long partnership to exonerate other Missouri victims of the system.
The Struggle for Freedom
OBS engaged in a long-term campaign to educate the public about the inherent flaws in the criminal justice system and to mobilize support for cases like Ellen Reasonover's. This included fundraisers, community forums, protests, etc.
The Homecoming
In 1999, Judge Jean Hamilton overturned Ellen's conviction. OBS organized a homecoming party and media interviews.
Getting Reconnected
Upon Ellen's release, she supported other issues of injustice. She often testified at legislative hearings against the death penalty.
