Korey Wise Innocence Project

Just ahead of Wrongful Conviction Day, our student group hosted KWIP exoneree Stephen Martinez for a discussion on wrongful conviction, the legal process that led to his release, and the ongoing work of the Korey Wise Innocence Project. Thank you to Stephen, his wife Amy, KWIP attorney Jeanne Segil and our student group presidents, Sarah Hnatkivskyy ‘28 and Kaitlyn Winkelman ‘28 for creating a space for learning and reflection.

KWIP and Janene McCabe of McCabe Law are representing Deborah Nicholls, whose convictions were vacated on August 1, after the court found prosecutors hid exculpatory CBI evidence. A status conference on August 20 will set the timeline for a bond hearing, and despite the State’s appeal, we continue fighting for her release.

CASE UPDATE: KWIP and Janene McCabe of McCabe Law are representing Deborah Nicholls, whose convictions were vacated August 1, after the court found prosecutors hid exculpatory CBI evidence. A status conference on August 20 will set the timeline for a bond hearing, and despite the State’s appeal, we continue fighting for her release.

Breaking: Mother’s conviction vacated 23 years after she was accused of burning her children alive once it was revealed the El Paso District Attorney’s Office hid key evidence A cold arctic wind had moved into Colorado during the early hours of March 7, 2003, and the temperature hovered at just 19 degrees as Deborah Nicholls drove home wearily at 2:30 a.m. to her house in northeast Colorado Springs. She had just finished one of her many part-time jobs, where she ran a kar

Legislation Inside is transforming how policy is made in Colorado. Led by the Korey Wise Innocence Project, the program brings incarcerated Coloradans into the legislative process, elevating perspectives that have historically been excluded.

Each week, KWIP staff member David Carrillo facilitates conversations with participants across 13 correctional facilities. Together, they analyze bills, explore criminal justice issues, and develop policy ideas. Their work helped pass legislation in 2023 to make the program permanent.

KWIP is proud to support this first‑of‑its‑kind model for meaningful, inside‑out policy change.

Legislation Inside at CU Boulder Legislation Inside gives incarcerated individuals the opportunity to advocate for causes important to them.

Our interns stood with KWIP attorney Jud Lohnes at the Colorado Court of Appeals yesterday during proceedings in KWIP client Billy Page’s case. Witnessing this work in real time is invaluable, and we’re grateful for the dedication and heart they bring to the fight for justice.

“I’m still figuring out what happiness looks like now...You don’t just walk out and feel free — you walk out and start over.”

The The New York Times highlights KWIP client, Stephen Martinez’s journey from wrongful conviction to hard‑won freedom. His resilience is a testament to the strength of people who survive injustice, and a reminder of why innocence work matters. KWIP continues to walk alongside Stephen as he rebuilds his life.

What the Pursuit of Happiness Looks Like, 250 Years In We asked dozens of people how they pursue happiness, one of three inalienable rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence. A single theme stood out: To strive is to be American.

October 2, 2026 — KWIP’s Voices of Innocence Gala!

Tickets and sponsorship packages are now available. Secure yours at the link below and join us for an evening supporting innocence work in Colorado and celebrating a banner year for KWIP.

Save $25 on individual tickets with code EARLYBIRD through August 21.

https://givebutter.com/c/KWIP

“She doctored testing results to avoid testing.” Jud Lohnes of the Korey Wise Innocence Project lays out just how deeply this misconduct cut across Colorado’s legal system.

He adds, “Defendants may have been deprived of DNA testing that could have proved their innocence, and victims’ cases may have withered on the vine.”

The article details the scope of the harm, the cases now under review, and the long road ahead for accountability.

Former Colorado DNA analyst pleads guilty to manipulating data in agreement with prosecutors A former DNA analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation changed her plea to guilty in court on Tuesday to four charges, as part of an agreement in which prosecutors dropped 100 other counts she was facing.

This week, seven local law firms came together for a collaborative pro bono project for all of our summer associates. The morning started with a presentation on pro bono opportunities for law students from Colorado Lawyers Committee, Korey Wise Innocence Project, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network - RMIAN and Colorado Access to Justice Commission. The summer associates then worked in teams to prepare research guides that will be used to help thousands of Coloradans on the Law Help Colorado website launching later this summer.

This project showcased the power of collaboration across the legal community and the commitment of the next generation of attorneys to expanding access to justice. We are grateful to the participating firms, panelists and summer associates whose contributions will have a lasting impact on individuals and families seeking reliable legal information and resources.

We came together in Denver to celebrate a year of work at KWIP, but the heart of the evening was Stephen Martinez. Getting to recognize his exoneration in a room filled with the people who helped make it happen meant a lot to all of us.

We also shared important progress in two active cases and celebrated the passage of the test kit bill. Thank you to for hosting and to everyone who continues to support this work.