** Exciting Update to Start 2026! **
In early November 2025, I received word from their program manager that Leonard's case had officially been accepted into Georgetown University's Making an Exoneree program for their spring 2026 semester!  We are beyond grateful to God and their student team for this blessing and cannot wait to see the amazing documentary and work they will produce!

On January 5, 2012, Leonard Coleman received a life sentence in Mobile, Alabama for a crime another man later confessed to committing.  Based on what you will read below, I believe you will agree that Leonard's case is worth a second look by Mobile County and society.  This petition will attempt to address the holes in Leonard's case.  How does a hardworking, family-oriented single father, with no prior convictions, end up being found guilty of a crime with which he had no involvement?  In fact, Leonard's next-door neighbor testified in court to speaking with him for hours during the time the crime took place.

Fact #1:
Prior to being wrongfully convicted, Leonard Coleman was issued a TWIC card by the Transportation Security Administration, which requires passing a national background check.  Yet, trial testimony verifies that Leonard was the only suspect ever pursued in this case.  From Leonard's perspective, this may be due to the fact that the lead detective used to date the victim, and we know this from personal details the victim shared with Leonard about this officer.  Leonard recalls him saying he would make sure the charges stuck and that Leonard would become another Black statistic.  Furthermore, the 2012 trial transcript shows there were no fingerprint matches nor ballistics matches tying Leonard to the crime.

Fact #2:
During Leonard's 2010 interrogation, he named the exact person he believed was the actual perpetrator.  At trial, Mobile PD Officer Quinnie testified on the stand that Leonard was the only suspect they investigated.  Upon examination of Leonard's interrogation transcript, it is easy to see that the sole goal of Officers Quinnie and Bagsby was to pressure Leonard to confess.  A decade later, it came to light that the potential perpetrator Leonard provided to the Mobile Police Department is the one who took the victim's life and caused an unspeakable loss to her family.

Fact #3:
The only possible witness was a 4-year-old child who suffered with a speech and developmental disability called echolalia.  (To see how echolalia can negatively affect those who interact with the legal system, please read the following story Matthew Rushin's Story.)  In Leonard's case, this child had been diagnosed by a speech pathologist - a graduate of the University of Alabama.  Trial transcripts of her testimony have her on record saying the child demonstrated red flags for autism.  While on the stand, the child's family revealed that he could not yet dial phone numbers by himself and that it sounded like someone took the phone from him and hung it up during the crime window.
Expert witness suggests boy's speech disability makes statements about shooting unreliable

Fact #4:
It's highly likely that District Attorney Ashley Rich knew the child's statements were unreliable, as she presented a motion to declare the witness unavailable, which was subsequently granted.  From Leonard's trial transcript - DA Ashley Rich:  "we attempted to solicit testimony from him at the grand jury but were unable to lay the proper predicate as to whether or not he understood the difference between right and wrong due to his young tender years."  This led to Leonard being convicted on out-of-court statements.

To view articles questioning the prosecutorial conduct of District Attorney Ashley Rich, please take a look at the following articles.
Follow Philly's example. Change justice system ...
Alabama's Prosecutors Want a COVID Bailout. They Shouldn't Get It.
Lagniappe Weekly

Fact #5:
Towards the end of Leonard's 2012 trial, Ret. Judge Rusty Johnston stated, "I was trying to be a good judge so there wouldn't be errors on appeal and I know several other things just like that and I'm going to zip up my lip."

Unfortunately, four years after Leonard's wrongful conviction, this same judge posted the following in an online blog:  "The Black Lives Matter narrative is a lie, is not true, is a fraud and we must confront this lie every time we hear it..."

2020 New Discovery Evidence:
Around 2016, Leonard's uncle began to hear rumors that there was new information circulating around who was behind this crime.  In 2020, two men decided to put their official statements on file with M and M Investigations, stating in detail how, two days before taking his own life, their close friend confessed to them how he was able to execute the crime and use the child to frame Leonard.  These men were saddened to learn Leonard was wrongfully incarcerated, since they both knew who committed the crime in question.  To our surprise, this confession filled in all of the holes in Leonard's original trial and answered long unanswered questions.

One of the affidavits makes the chilling statement, "And I believe that my friend -----, even though he was a hard man, was wrecked with guilt over putting LJ in prison for killing his baby momma.  I think ----- felt bad that he put a father in prison for something that he had done."  A few months later, a third witness came forward, which corroborated their stories.  She recalled how she heard the perpetrator threaten the victim, "B****, I am going to make sure you die too."

This evidence was filed as a Rule 32 with the Mobile County Circuit Court on April 20, 2021.  On February 23, 2023, all of our witnesses appeared in open court; however, Judge Jay A. York denied Leonard relief in February of 2024, essentially claiming that these testimonies do not meet the legal criteria to be considered newly discovery evidence.  Because Mobile County has not elected to create a CIU, as of October 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court panel is now Leonard's last chance at justice.  I truly believe, and I know you do too, justice for Leonard (holding the right person accountable) also means justice and closure for the beloved victim and her grieving family.

Final Thoughts:
Leonard Coleman, an African American man, was found guilty in a Southern state by a White judge, White DA, and an almost all-White jury (11/12).  I'm not convinced that Leonard ever stood a chance.  Internet research shows that Bryan Douglas Cannon, Raymond Shane Greene, Dennis Morgan Hicks, Scott Jones, and Rodney Stanberry are also claiming false convictions by the Mobile County Circuit Court or District Attorney Ashley Rich.

Unfortunately, there are only two Conviction Integrity Units in the State of Alabama, and neither of them have jurisdiction over Leonard's case.  Thus, every signature, comment, and share weigh heavily for us.  We humbly ask that you stand in solidarity with us by sharing this petition with as many people as you can.  You can continue on the journey with us by following us @JusticeforLeonardColeman on Instagram.  Additionally, if my husband's story has touched your heart, please consider reaching out to the Governor of Alabama at https://contact.governor.alabama.gov/contact.aspx, the Mobile County DA’s Office, and the Supreme Court of Alabama judicial panel.

Mobile County District Attorney: (251) 574-8400, P.O. Box 2841, Mobile, AL 36652

District Attorney Keith Blackwood: (251) 574-5000

Assistant DA Chris McDonough: (251) 574-3404

Presiding Judge: Jay A. York

Article Links re: Mobile County & DA Ashley Rich:

https://www.al.com/live/2013/04/former_mobile_police_captain_f.html

https://mynbc15.com/amp/news/reality-check/innocent-until-proven-guiltyor-not

Podcasts:

Founding Sponsors AAALAC & AAMLLC - EPISODE #88
Link to AAALAC podcast

Voiceless Behind Bars - Mrs. Coleman Interview
Link to Voiceless Behind Bars podcast

Wicked Wisdom - Episode 60:  Mrs. Coleman’s Story - Husband, Leonard Coleman
Link to Wicked Wisdom podcast

Supporter Comments:

Due to recent updates to change.org's platform, the over 100 beautiful comments left on this page in support of Leonard's release since 2021 are no longer visible. However, they are viewable on this separate page: https://www.change.org/p/prosecuted-by-mobile-county-da-ashley-rich-called-out-in-usa-today-filter-mag/c.