KENTUCKY
COALITION to
ABOLISH the
DEATH
PENALTY
P.O. Box 3092 * Louisville, KY 40201-3092 * 502.636.1330 * staff@kcadp.org * www.kcadp.org
Dear Friend,
My name is Michael VonAllmen. I invite you to imagine the horror you’d feel as an innocent defendant
hearing the jury foreman declare, “Guilty, your Honor.” In that moment, not only are you shocked and
devastated knowing that you were not protected despite your best efforts to tell the truth and cooperate
with the legal system, but you are also aware that the perpetrator of a heinous crime evaded detection and
may hurt someone again.
1 experienced this nightmare. | was convicted of a rape in 1983. I spent 11 years in a Kentucky prison
before I was paroled. It took 16 more years before the state finally exonerated me of the charges in 2010. It
took me 27 long years to clear my name. I was convicted on eyewitness testimony that proved faulty. The
real rapist remained free until a year after my conviction, when he died in a high speed chase while evading
arrest for another crime.
Though I have been exonerated, the mistake the state made in my case looms over me when | think of all
the people on death rows in our country who have valid claims of innocence.
My case is not unique. Thirteen other Kentucky inmates have proven that they, too, were wrongfully
convicted of serious crimes and have been released. Thankfully, the victim in my case was not killed and I
did not face a death sentence. But some, like Larry Osborne, did. Unlike me, he was wrongfully convicted
in a Kentucky court and sentenced to death. Fortunately, like me, he was exonerated and released.
Because of my experience, and because | believe there are yet others still incarcerated who are innocent, I
have dedicated my time to meeting with legislators and working with the Kentucky Coalition to Abolish the
Death Penalty to ensure that we do not execute an innocent person. And the only sure way to do that is to
take the death penalty off of the table. Abolish it!
As I talk to people who visit our booth at the State Fair or who come out to hear a presentation by an
exoneree, it is clear that Kentuckians are concerned about executing the innocent. I have visited with
who may have
ue. We are making
legislators who share this concern, too. | have noticed a change in tone among tho:
supported the death penalty, but who are now reconsidering their position on this is
progress on ending the death penalty in our state.
As we gear up for the 2015 legislative session, I ask that you join me in supporting the work of KCADP to
see these efforts succeed.
Remember that the tax year is wrapping up and your gift to KCADP could be deductible. You can also
support our work by inviting a friend to join our efforts. And please don’t forget to contact your state
legislators and let them know you support abolition. One thing I know for sure is that we'll win this fight
sooner because of your generous support.
Sincerely,
Necbad fbx me
Michael VonAllmen
Working Together to End the Death Penalty
