I am Ron Wright, 27th exonerated FL Death Row survivor. In March, Herman Lindsey, FL Death Row exoneree #23, and I joined FADP’s Abolition Advocacy Action Days at the State Capitol. We met with legislators and Governor DeSantis to create awareness of the fatal flaws in our state’s death penalty program.
One meeting of special importance for me was with Rep. Joe Geller, who, for four sessions, has sponsored legislation to end the use of the death penalty in Florida. Rep. Geller stood up, shook my hand, and hugged me. He said sincerely, “I’m sorry for what our state did to you.” I held back tears. This was the first and only apology I have received from a state official for the eight years I served in prison, including three years on Florida’s Death Row, for a crime I did not commit.
FADP also partnered with Witness to Innocence to bring five of my brother Death Row exonerees to the Florida Capitol. They presented a letter to Gov. DeSantis’ office urging him to halt the November 7th execution of James Dailey and thoroughly review the new and substantial evidence of his innocence. The next day, a stay of execution to review this new evidence was issued by a federal judge.
(Death Row Exonerees at Gov. DeSantis’s office: (L-R) Seth Penalver #24, Derrick Jamison OH, Juan Melendez #20, Herman Lindsey #23, Clemente Aguirre #28.)
FADP helps uplift the compelling testimonies of my fellow Death Row exonerees to draw attention to Florida’s failed death penalty program. Your support will continue to make the work possible.
Together we are making progress.
Thank you,
Ron Wright
Florida Death Row Exoneree #27