Faculty in the News
In the News
Governor pardons defendant convicted in 1969
Publication date: Nov. 15, 2009
Source: Lawrence Journal-World
Author: Shaun Hittle
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An article in the Lawrence Journal-World featured the work of KU Law's Project for Innocence and Post-Conviction Remedies to secure a grant of executive clemency for Samuel Jarvis "Jerry" Hunt, convicted of third-degree robbery during a racially charged trial in 1969 in a Sedgwick County court. Hunt fled to Africa before sentencing.
The Journal-World wrote:
After years in Africa, Hunt moved back to the United States with his four children in the late 1990s, still facing the possibility of serving time for the robbery conviction.
Hunt began rebuilding his life in the United States and also approached Horowitz seeking assistance with a pardon. KU's Paul E. Wilson Defender Project took on Hunt's case and worked for five years to secure the pardon.
"If there ever was a worthy clemency, this was it," said Jean Phillips, the Defender Project director. "It wasn't about these guys. It was about society at the time."
...
Phillips said the pardon provides some relief for Hunt and his family after the years in Africa and the disruption of his life.
"Now he can do things with his life," she said. "It reaffirms my faith that we're willing to do the right thing."