Who we are

Innocence Project of Texas

The Story of Innocence Project of Texas

Innocence Project of Texas was founded in 2006 by two criminal defense attorneys, current Executive Director Mike Ware and Jeff Blackburn, who volunteered their time to free the innocent. Since that time, IPTX has grown to be one of the leading innocence organizations in the country having exonerated or freed 34 people.

IPTX is dedicated to correcting past injustices, preventing future wrongful convictions, and giving hope to people who feel that they are out of options. As a nonprofit organization, IPTX relies on community support to free the innocent, reform criminal justice practices, and educate the public about wrongful convictions.

 
  • Group photo with Anna Vasquez.
    Source: Innocence Project of Texas
  • Willie Thomas Office Visit
    Source: Innocence Project of Texas

Our Mission

  • Restore

    Liberty That Was Taken
    Unjustly

  • Reconnect

    Families Torn Apart By
    Injustice

  • Defend

    Freedom In Our
    Democracy

  • Promote

    Accuracy & Integrity In Our
    Criminal Justice Process

  • Prevent

    Wrongful Convictions
    From Occurring

OUR STAFF

  • Headshot of Mike Ware

    Mike Ware

    Executive Director

  • Headshot of Allison Clayton

    Allison Clayton

    Deputy Director

  • Headshot of Mel LeRoy

    Mel LeRoy

    Managing Director

  • Headshot of Jessi Freud

    Jessi Freud

    Senior Staff Attorney

  • Headshot of Caitlin Gilbert

    Caitlin Gilbert

    Staff Attorney

  • Chase Baumgartner

    Staff Attorney

  • Headshot of Anna Vasquez

    Anna Vasquez

    Director of Outreach & Education

  • Headshot of Ryan Hamilton

    Ryan Hamilton

    Operations Manager

OUR BOARD

  • Leslie MacLean

    President

  • Headshot of Lael Brodsky

    Lael Brodsky

    Vice President

  • Headshot of Monty Free

    Monty Free

    Treasurer

  • Headshot of Danielle Rohr

    Danielle Rohr

    Secretary

  • Headshot of Elsa Alcala

    Elsa Alcala

    Member

  • Headshot of Stefanie Alexander

    Stefanie Alexander

    Member

  • Jeremy Blackman

    Member

  • Jay Brandon

    Member

  • Ian Dowl

    Member

  • Headshot of Michelle Staubach Grimes

    Michelle Staubach Grimes

    Member

  • John Hardin

    Member

  • Headshot of Naomi Howard

    Naomi Howard

    Member

  • Headshot of Chi Miller

    Chi
    Miller

    Member

  • John Mimbela

    Member

  • Headshot of Jenny Saphier

    Jenny Saphier

    Member

  • Debra Spencer

    Member

  • Headshot of Gary Udashen

    Gary Udashen

    Member

  • Jenae Ward

    Member

  • Headshot of Chauntelle Wood

    Chauntelle Wood

    Member

Our Financials

IRS Form 990 is the tax document that federally tax-exempt organizations file each year with the IRS. This includes charitable nonprofits. Listed here are three most recently filed Form 990 documents for Innocence Project of Texas:

990 FOR 2022 990 FOR 2021 990 FOR 2020

 

Systemic Failures Have Wrongly
Imprisoned Thousands of
Innocent Texans.

The Generosity of Their Fellow Citizens Can Provide Them
The Freedom They Deserve.

Innocence Project of Texas grey star icon