Ohio Innocence Watch Site Launch
Today is a proud day for all of us at Ohio Court Watch.
After many months of planning, research, programming, and teamwork, we are honored to announce the launch of Ohio Innocence Watch.
Ohio Innocence Watch is built on a simple but powerful idea: justice should never be hidden from public view. When an individual asserts that they have been wrongfully convicted, those claims deserve to be heard, decided, and understood by the public. Whether a claim ultimately succeeds or fails, confidence in our justice system depends upon transparency, accountability, and timely judicial decision-making.
Our vision is for Ohio Innocence Watch to become the state's most comprehensive public resource for tracking active innocence claims pending in Ohio's courts. We hope it will serve journalists, lawyers, judges, policymakers, students, researchers, and all Ohioans who believe that justice is strengthened when citizens can observe their courts at work.
This project represents exactly what Ohio Court Watch was created to accomplish. Our students are not merely studying the justice system—they are helping to improve it. By gathering accurate information, organizing it for public access, and shining light on proceedings that might otherwise go unnoticed, they are performing an invaluable public service.
I could not be more proud of the extraordinary students who made this vision a reality.
My deepest gratitude goes to our exceptional leadership team—Lila Robinson, Joe Dempsey, and Mark Bank—whose dedication, professionalism, and countless hours of work transformed an ambitious idea into a living project. Their leadership has established a standard that will benefit Ohio Court Watch for years to come.
I also want to recognize Rick Zhang, whose remarkable technical skill made this platform possible. Rick devoted countless hours to designing the database and building the website with creativity, patience, and excellence. His work has provided Ohio Court Watch with an enduring foundation upon which we can continue to build.
It seems especially appropriate that we launch Ohio Innocence Watch as our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Our Republic rests upon the enduring promise that the law exists to protect what Americans cherish most—our freedom. That promise depends not only upon fair laws, but upon transparent institutions and citizens willing to engage with them.
Ohio Innocence Watch is our contribution to that ideal.
To our students—past, present, and future—thank you for reminding us that meaningful change often begins with careful research, thoughtful reporting, and a commitment to the truth.
I invite everyone to visit Ohio Innocence Watch, explore the cases currently pending throughout our state, and follow us as we continue working to make Ohio's justice system more transparent, more accountable, and worthy of the public's trust.
Happy Independence Day, and thank you for supporting Ohio Court Watch.
Michael P. Donnelly
Administrator, Ohio Court Watch
Adjunct Professor of Law, Cleveland State University College of Law