Indiana Innocence Project

06/03/2026

Thank you ABC57 for sharing about our new Director, Kristine Bunch

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After 17 years behind bars, Kristine Bunch turned her pain and loss into purpose when she helped create the Indiana Innocence Project.

06/01/2026

Today, I am honored to share that I have been named Director of the Indiana Innocence Project.

This moment is bigger than a new title. It represents a journey I never could have imagined when I entered prison for a crime I did not commit.

After losing 17 years of my life to a wrongful conviction, I am now leading an innocence organization. That reality is not lost on me. I know firsthand the pain of being separated from family, the weight of being labeled guilty while knowing the truth, and the long road required to rebuild a life after exoneration.

My story began with tragedy. It continued through years of incarceration, uncertainty, and loss. But it also became a story of perseverance, hope, and the extraordinary people who dedicate their lives to pursuing justice when the system gets it wrong.

Today, I carry that experience with me into this role.

I am deeply grateful to the Indiana Innocence Project Board of Directors for their trust and confidence. I am equally grateful to the attorneys, advocates, fellow exonerees, friends, and supporters who stood beside me throughout this journey and helped transform unimaginable hardship into meaningful purpose.

The mission of the Indiana Innocence Project is deeply personal to me. Every case represents a human being, a family, and a future. I understand what is at stake because I have lived it.

As Director, I look forward to strengthening our work, supporting those seeking justice, and helping ensure that innocent people are not forgotten.

For many years, I fought to prove my own innocence.

Today, I have the privilege of fighting for others.

Kristine Bunch
Director
Indiana Innocence Project

05/18/2026

Indiana Innocence Project will soon be making some exciting announcements.
STAY TUNED

05/01/2026

This week marks a significant milestone for justice in Indiana. Governor Mike Braun officially signed House Bill 1248, also known as "Carmen’s Law," into effect.

While often discussed as a tool for investigators, advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy are just as vital for the work we do at the Indiana Innocence Project. Why? Because the truth doesn't take sides.

Better forensic tools don't just solve cold cases—they prevent the wrongful conviction of the innocent by ensuring that science, not guesswork, identifies the right individual. This law strengthens the integrity of our entire legal system and brings Indiana one step closer to a future where "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" is backed by the most accurate data available.

We applaud this move toward a more reliable and transparent justice system for all Hoosiers.

04/13/2026

Still scrolling through the highlights from The Innocence Network Conference in Chicago! Our board member Roosevelt Glenn Sr. captured some incredible moments with the pioneers and experts who have shaped this movement, featuring:

Barry Scheck: A true legend and co-founder of the Innocence Project in New York.

Greg Hampikian: The DNA expert whose specialized work was instrumental in Roosevelt’s own case.

Meredith Taylor Kennedy: The dedicated Director of the Innocence Network.

Seeing these leaders together reminds us of the massive community of science and law behind every exoneration. We are proud to bring this national expertise and energy back home to Indiana as we continue our mission to identify and correct wrongful convictions

04/13/2026

We're still feeling the energy from this past weekend in Chicago!

The Indiana Innocence Project was honored to attend the Innocence Network Conference, joining a national community dedicated to identifying and correcting wrongful convictions. It was a powerful time of connection, learning, and solidarity for our team.

We were especially proud to have our mission represented by:
Kristine Bunch, Exoneree
Roosevelt Glenn Sr., Board Member and Exoneree
Fran Watson, Board Member

Being surrounded by hundreds of fellow advocates and survivors reminds us why we provide pro bono legal advocacy and work to improve the fairness and reliability of the criminal legal system. Thank you to The Innocence Network for hosting such a vital event. Together, we continue the fight for justice! ⚖️

04/08/2026

This weekend, our team is heading to Chicago to join the 2026 The Innocence Network Conference!
This isn't just a meeting—it’s a massive family reunion. We’ll be joining hundreds of exonerees, their families, and advocates from across the globe to share stories of resilience and fight for a fairer justice system.

03/26/2026

The stories of the wrongfully convicted—marked by profound loss and incredible resilience—too often go unheard. This new initiative is aimed at ensuring these voices are preserved forever.

Through a powerful new partnership supported by the Mellon Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Innocence Project and StoryCorps Studios are working to change the narrative. Together, they are building a permanent archive of conversations with exonerees, their families, and their champions.

These stories will live in the Library of Congress, serving as a lasting testament to the human cost of a fallible system and the strength of those who fight for the truth.

03/19/2026

Prevention is just as vital as exoneration.

Check out this insightful interview from NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS featuring Kristine Bunch, an Indiana exoneree and a powerful, active voice within the Indiana Innocence Project.

Kristine joined the Illinois Innocence Project to discuss their groundbreaking Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance Training. By pairing legal experts with exonerees, this program puts a human face on systemic errors—like faulty forensics and false confessions—to ensure law enforcement has the tools to prevent these tragedies before they begin.

As Kristine says, “We’re just regular people.” Her mission is to turn her 17 years of wrongful imprisonment into a catalyst for a more accurate and just legal system.

Listen to the full story here:

Marc Beach and Kristine Bunch of the Illinois Innocence Project work with the Wrongful Conviction Awareness and Avoidance Training Program to prevent law enforcement mistakes.

03/18/2026

Today is National Public Defense Day, marking the anniversary of the landmark 1963 Gideon v. Wainwright decision that guaranteed the right to counsel.

The roots of this movement go back even further to Clara Shortridge Foltz, the 19th-century legal pioneer who founded the American public defender model decades before the Gideon decision. As the first woman admitted to the California Bar, she argued that a fair trial is only possible when the defense is as prepared as the prosecution.

Across the nation, communities are officially proclaiming March 18 to honor the history and vital role of legal aid providers. At the Indiana Innocence Project, we celebrate this legacy of advocacy and the dedicated professionals who ensure the scales of justice remain balanced for every Hoosier.