I am seeking a pardon from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, to clear my name of a crime I did not commit. Please join this petition to support my Pardon Application-and in doing so, support justice everywhere.

In 1981, I was wrongfully convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. In 2013, after serving 32 years in prison for a crime I did not commit, I was released on a Writ of Actual Innocence after DNA testing proved that the hair samples used as evidence against me did not belong to me.  But, despite the Writ of Actual Innocence, the State's Attorney, Joseph Cassilly, who prosecuted this case from the beginning, continued his vindictive pursuit against me, in a further attempt to convict me for crimes I did not commit.

Throughout my case, Cassilly engaged in a pattern of prosecutorial misconduct, including: * improperly withholding exculpatory evidence, including evidence that the hair-fiber analysis and testimony in my case was flawed; failing to disclose communications and connections with the codefendant at the time that called into question the veracity of his testimony; misrepresenting or lying about information to the court, me, and my attorneys; inappropriately communicating with me without the presence of my lawyers; and publicly making prejudicial and inflammatory comments on my case while it was active.

After a 36 year battle to prove my innocence and being faced with yet another trial prosecuted by an unethical prosecutor, I was ready to move on with my life and continue the work I was doing for Baltimore City and the Maryland community. In 2017, I agreed to take an Alford plea - a special kind of plea in which I maintained my innocence (as I always have) but acknowledged there was some evidence that could be used to convict. Although this was a difficult decision, I had established myself in the community and I did not want to risk being unjustly convicted once again.

The law firm Ropes & Gray has represented me in connection with this case since 1987.

In 2018, after the Alford plea was accepted and my case was over, I filed an ethics complaint against Cassilly for his misconduct. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland took up my case. 

October 22nd, 2021, in a unanimous decision, the highest court in Maryland, ruled to disbar Cassilly. The Court of Appeals stated that Cassilly "knowingly and intentionally failed to disclose for more than decade exculpatory evidence that came to light after defendant's conviction, discarded evidence, sought to have forensic evidence in case destroyed, knowingly made false statements of fact to court and defense counsel concerning content of evidence, and, during Bar Counsel's investigation, failed to comply with subpoena to provide statement under oath."

While a certain modicum of justice has been achieved with the system acknowledging the injurious wrongfulness of Cassilly's conduct, it has done nothing toward clearing my name and acknowledging that I never should have been convicted in the first place.

Governor Hogan has the power to issue me a pardon. By pardoning me, Governor Hogan can help the process of restoring faith in the criminal justice system. I have been on a 40+ year quest to clear my family name and I need your help and support. Please lend your name to this cause for justice by supporting my Pardon Application to Governor Hogan! In addition to signing the Petition, you can write Governor Hogan directly at 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Thank you!