FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 30, 2023

Government Accountability Project Senior Counsel Joins Justice Denied: Unreliable Evidence and Accountability Panel Discussion

Richmond, VA—On Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30pm, The Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU and VPM are partnering to present Justice Denied: Unreliable Evidence and Accountabilitya panel discussion featuring Government Accountability Project’s Senior Counsel and Education Director, Dana Gold. This panel will explore themes from Admissible: Shreds of Evidence, a podcast that shines a light on how evidence itself can be flawed, mishandled, or even manipulated, and how one whistleblower can change everything.

The discussion will center around how a brave whistleblower tried to expose how deeply problematic evidence testing went awry at the Virginia state crime lab in the 1970s and 80s leading to wrongful convictions. What role does forensic science play in court cases today? How can those responsible for mistakes be held accountable? And what can our communities do to reestablish trust in the criminal legal system?

Listen to Admissible: Shreds of Evidence to hear the story of 13 men who were exonerated in Virginia after the discovery of preserved evidence hidden for decades in a Virginia records facility, and the forensic scientist responsible for those samples—Mary Jane Burton.

WHEN: April 19, 2023 | 6:30-8:30 PM

WHERE: Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
601 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Free and Open to the Public

WHO: Dr. Chioke I’Anson, Director of the VPM + ICA Community Media Center, will moderate the discussion.

Joining Dr. I’Anson on the panel are

  • Tessa KramerAdmissible host and reporter who uncovered the story of Mary Jane Burton and her work at the Virginia state crime lab.
  • Dana Gold, Senior Counsel and Director of Education at the Government Accountability Projectand the Director of its Democracy Protection Initiative, fostering understanding about the essential role of whistleblowers.
  • Chelsea Higgs Wise, social justice activist and facilitator working toward equitable communication strategies. Ms. Higgs Wise is the co-founder and Executive Director of Marijuana Justiceand is co-host of the radio show Race Capitol.
  • Maneka Sinha, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, with extensive experience in criminal litigation and expertise in the use of forensic science evidence in criminal cases.

Following the panel discussion, attendees may ask questions and engage the panelists.

This is an in-person only event.

Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/justice-denied-unreliable-evidence-and-accountability-registration-597096029297

Admissible is produced by VPM & Story Mechanics and distributed by iHeart Media.

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

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