Benefit for the Midwest Innocence Project

Recently, the Midwest Innocence Project was in the news assisting in the release from prison of Kevin Strickland, an African-American man who was wrongfully convicted by an all-white jury in 1979 of killing three people in Kansas City, Missouri. No physical evidence linked him to the scene of the crime and the only alleged witness later recanted her testimony that Strickland was involved. Strickland was given a life sentence. In 2021, he garnered national attention after former prosecutors in his case said he was very likely innocent and called for his release.

The Midwest Innocence Project is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the investigation, litigation and exoneration of wrongfully convicted people in the five-state region of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Your donation supports the mission to investigate, litigate and exonerate individuals convicted in the five-state area.

For more info: themip.org

The benefit will feature live music by traditional Louisiana style band Ernest James Zydeco. Members include accordionist Ernest James and Barry “Washboard” Barnes on percussion, Mike Stover on bass and Aryana Nemati on saxophone.

For more info: ejzydeco.com

Julia Othmer is a "captivating" piano-playing singer/songwriter known for her energetic live performances. Passionate and engaging, Othmer creates intimate warmth with her audiences. Using music to connect to people and social issues inspires her.

For more info: juliaothmer.com/

The Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) exists to free those that have been wrongfully convicted in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. MIP was founded iin
2001 through the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law and came into existence as a response to the staggering needs of wrongfully convicted people in
the five-state region. MIP works to bring home innocent people, ease their reentry.process, and reform the system responsible for their unjust imprisonment.