FreeTonyViola.com & JusticeForDawn.com Co-Sponsor EPIC’s - Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens – Fifth Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally Thursday, October 2nd at Noon, Cuyahoga County Justice Center, West 3rd and Lakeside Ave. in Downtown Cleveland

• Speakers include Exonerees, Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael Donnelly and Attorney Kim Corral
• Event livestream will be available at Justice for Dawn
• Event Co-Sponsors include Justice For Dawn Pasela and FreeTonyViola.com
• Exonerees and government officials are welcome to speak at the event
• For Additional Information or to register as a speaker, kindly contact Event Organizer Jeanna Kenney at Epicxteam2020@gmail.com

Cleveland, Ohio – August 5, 2025 – FreeTonyViola announced today that it is a co-sponsor of EPIC’s (Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens) fifth annual rally on Thursday, October 2nd at Noon to highlight Cuyahoga County’s role as the epicenter wrongful convictions. According to The National Registry of Exonerations, there have been at least 3,709 judicially recognized exonerations since 1989, constituting more than 35,000 years lost. Cuyahoga County has far more exonerees than any other community, including many citizens who spent decades incarcerated for crimes they did not commit.

Wrongful Conviction Day is a national event across the nation designed by the Innocence Network to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful convictions on innocent people and their families. 

In advance of his appearance at the event, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly stated: “A wrongful conviction is the worst form of injustice that can occur in our system and we should do everything we can to prevent it on the front end from happening, but also take steps to reform the post-conviction process to remedy wrongful conviction as soon as possible.”

The keynote speaker, attorney Kim Corral, whose law firm works extensively on post-conviction litigation, stated “As always, I am honored to participate in Cuyahoga County's Wrongful Conviction Day. It is crucially important to spread awareness about the all too common-place occurrence of wrongful convictions. It is also an important opportunity to remind those harmed by wrongful conviction that they are not forgotten, that we have not tired in their fight for justice and that the community is calling for change.”

Ed and Karen Pasela, the parents of the late Dawn Pasela, said, “We are so happy to support Wrongful Conviction Day, because our daughter Dawn worked for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and a multi-jurisdictional Task Force.  Dawn saw injustices inside the Prosecutor’s Office and refused to stand by and watch innocent people being sent to prison.  Instead, she fought so hard for justice and did everything she could to prevent wrongful convictions.”

Tony Viola, who was exonerated at a second trial after an initial conviction, said, “Wrongful convictions aren’t mistakes but often result from intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors, who start with a conclusion, target people for prosecution, then hide or destroy evidence that doesn’t comport with their theory of the case.  Ending rampant injustices and intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors should be a top priority for all officials in our government.”

Event organizer Jeanna Kenney added, “If you have a loved one incarcerated who is fighting a wrongful conviction, we encourage you to join us, bring your family, and join us in solidarity to be boots on ground.  We are also asking for help sharing the event on your social media pages and by inviting family and friends in person. Also, we would welcome additional speakers and sponsors, so please reach out for further details.”