NC Center on Actual Innocence

08/31/2026

Happy Birthday to our client, Clifton Spencer!

Cliff was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1991. Although attempts to prove his innocence have failed so far, we believe in him and will never stop trying to bring him justice. He was released on parole in 2007, in large part due to a letter of support from the then-District Attorney, but needs his name cleared.

Learn more about Cliff’s case by listening to season 2 of the CounterClock podcast or exploring our website www.nccai.org.

08/28/2026

On this day 19 years ago, Dwayne Dail’s conviction was vacated. He was proven innocent after over 18 excruciating years in prison for a r**e he did not commit.

Life behind bars for someone who commits a crime is undoubtedly difficult. Life behind bars for an innocent person is a tragic injustice few can comprehend.

Dwayne has been one of the Center’s biggest supporters since his release and is dedicated to paying it forward for others. We are proud and humbled to call him our friend and have him on our board.

Happy freedom-versary, Dwayne! We love you!

08/23/2026

Today we celebrate our former client and dear friend, Happy 80th Birthday Willie Grimes!

Willie’s story is one of true strength and resilience. After being convicted in 1988 of a violent r**e he did not commit, he was sentenced to life in prison. In 2003, he contacted the Center asking for help in proving his innocence and obtaining his freedom. Years later, after we were told many times that all evidence had been destroyed, latent prints were located that not only exonerated Willie but identified the true perpetrator, who had assaulted other women as well.

In 2012, a three-judge panel declared Willie innocent, with the chair judge saying, “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, thank Jehovah, Willie J. Grimes is free at last.”

In 2017, Willie’s story was told in the book “Ghost of the Innocent Man” by Benjamin Rachlin. Learn more at www.nccai.org!

08/17/2026

Today is National Nonprofit Day! Nonprofits are the backbone of so many communities working tirelessly, often with limited resources.
The Center’s mission to identify, investigate, and litigate claims of actual innocence and to assist in reentry of the exonerated could not be accomplished without the support of volunteers and donations.
Please visit www.nccai.org to learn more about our work and provide support. We can’t help others without your help!

08/13/2026

Please read this important reporting on Anthony Brown's exoneration and how his story supports the need for changes to NC law governing the preservation of evidence. The Center has advocated for the changes for years and lives continue to be negatively impacted because the laws are not followed.

https://carolinapublicpress.org/80334/durham-man-cleared-in-robbery-after-serving-time-thanks-to-new-evidence/

08/13/2026

Please join us in wishing Dominique Thorpe a very happy 54th birthday!

In 2013, Dominique was wrongly convicted of a murder he did not commit. Following a 2024 evidentiary hearing, during which the Center presented compelling evidence of ineffective assistance of trial counsel and perjury, Dominique’s relief was denied. We stand by Dominique’s innocence as his case is being appealed.

Please keep Dominique in your thoughts and visit www.nccai.org to learn more about his case and support our work!

08/13/2026

On this day in 2013, Larry Lamb walked out of prison a free man. While the world outside moved on, Larry spent 20 hard years wrongfully incarcerated for a murder he did not commit. We will always treasure the day Larry was reunited with his loving family.

Learn more about Larry’s case and our work at www.nccai.org!

08/12/2026

The Center remains hopeful as we await a final resolution for the Winston-Salem 5.
https://www.law360.com/articles/2512237/nc-wants-a-retrial-in-killing-of-nba-star-s-grandfather-

State prosecutors told a North Carolina Court of Appeals panel during arguments on Tuesday that a trial court judge overstepped by vacating the convictions of four men found guilty as teenagers of murdering NBA star Chris Paul's grandfather in 2002, saying the only remedy was to order a new trial.

08/12/2026

Oral arguments were heard yesterday for the Winston-Salem 5. Our clients, Rayshawn Banner and Nathaniel Cauthen, along with their co-defendants, Christopher Bryant and Jermal Tolliver, have been on a harrowing journey for justice and truth.

Read more here: https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-appeals-court-wrestles-with-vacated-murder-charges-in-2002-case/

The North Carolina Court of Appeals will decide in the months ahead whether a trial judge had the authority to vacate murder convictions and dismiss charges related to a 2002 killing in Winston-Salem.

08/12/2026

Last August, Nathaniel Cauthen, Rayshawn Banner, and co-defendants, Christopher Bryant and Jermal Tolliver were exonerated after 23 years of fighting for the truth. But before they could be released, the State appealed. Nathaniel and Rayshawn still remain behind bars.

Read more here:

The two brothers had their convictions overturned last August, but the state appealed that ruling. They hope Tuesday's hearing is the first step toward freedom.