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EXONERATED ARTIST 197 - DANIEL GWYNN

DANIEL GWYNN

EXONERATED ARTIST 197

Art for Justice Celebrates

Daniel Gwynn - Exonerated Artist 197

For his Art and Accomplishments during his

Freedom Year 2024

Daniel Gwynn celebrated his 1st year Anniversary of Freedom on 3/2/25 with his family, friends, lawyers, and advocates at an event sponsored by Art for Justice, the Johnson House’s Center for Social Advocacy, and the Big Beard Barber Shop at Our House Cultural Center in Germantown.

 

Featured during the evening:

  • an exhibit of 25 artworks by Daniel
  • a slide show documenting Daniel’s accomplishments throughout the year, his many pen pals during his 30 years of wrongful incarceration, and significant times he shared during the past year with family and friends
  • a presentation with speakers, Karl Schwartz, his Defense Attorney, Cornelia Swinson, Ex Director of the Johnson House, AMKirk, Director of AfJ, and, most inspiring, Daniel Gwynn.

 

What Joy to honor Daniel for his courage throughout his long incarceration, his fortitude fighting to obtain justice and be freed, and his steadfast work to create a new life for himself with his family, friends, and community!

Daniel with his attorneys, Alan Tauber & Karl Schwartz

Daniel standing in front of his art

Daniel with Cornelia Swinson, Valentino Howell, and Ann Marie Kirk

RENE ANGEL ORTIZ

Released on January 17, 2025 after 34 years of Incarceration


Abstract 2, Rene Angel Ortiz

Man On A Mission, Rene Angel Ortiz

Abstract 1, Rene Angel Ortiz

RENE ANGEL ORTIZ RELEASED on JANUARY 17, 2025

Abstract 2, Rene Angel Ortiz

Wiso Ortiz, Sonya Ortiz and Rene Angel Ortiz

Rene Ortiz’s family, supporters, and legal team immediately after the 1/17/25 hearing where Judge DiClaudio ordered his release.

Rene Angel Ortiz - Released

 

Rene Ortiz, who spent 34 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, was released from Phoenix SCI on January 17, 2025.

 

Judge DiClaudio spoke during Mr. Ortiz’s hearing, 1/17/25, about newly discovered evidence in the case saying that had the jury known of this evidence at the time of the original trial, it would have benefited Mr. Ortiz. The Prosecution and Defense attorneys had presented an agreement for a plea deal to DiClaudio whereby Mr. Ortiz would agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge of 3rd degree in exchange for a revised sentence of 17 – 34 years. As Rene Ortiz had already served the maximum of 34 years, Judge DiClaudio ordered that he be released.


Rene Ortiz, 2nd from the left, and his family, moments after his release from prison the evening of 1/17/25.

AFJ Exhibit

Innocent: The Truth Not Being Told was exhibited by Art for Justice (AfJ), in partnership with the Johnson House Historic Site’s Center for Social Justice, in the lobby of the Germantown Mennonite Church, May 25 – June 25, 2024. On June 15 during the Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival, 2024 AfJ featured a presentation with speakers, Chester Hollman III, Eddie Ramirez, Muti Ajamu-Osagboro, and Daniel Gwynn – each of whom was innocent of the crime for which he was convicted and experienced long-term incarceration in PA. The community gathered to hear each man talk about the injustice of his conviction, his lengthy fight for freedom in a deeply flawed legal system, and his endurance of harsh, dehumanizing prison conditions. Art for Justice is grateful to Chester Hollman for sponsoring the exhibit.


Live Stream Event:

https://youtube.com/live/AW7AHGC59wk?feature=share


CNBC Event Coverage: https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-germantown-mennonite-johnson-house-juneteenth-art-for-justice/

Chester Hollman III, Daniel Gwynn, and Muti Ajamu-Osagboro

Eduard Ramirez Exonerated on November 30, 2023

Eddie Ramirez endured 27 years of incarceration in PA for a crime he did not commit. There was no physical evidence that connected Eddie to the crime. The DNA found at the scene of the crime was not Eddie’s. Eddie’s constitutional rights were violated because the Prosecution withheld from the Defense multiple pieces of evidence which would have benefited Eddie’s case.


Eddie steadfastly fought against the injustice he was experiencing. With the support of his family and friends who stood by him throughout his struggle during the past 27 years, Eddie Ramirez has won the freedom that was stolen from him in 1996.


The Court vacated Eddie’s sentence and the Philadelphia D.A. declined to retry the case. Eddie is exonerated.


EDDIE'S STORY

Eddie Ramirez endured 27 years of incarceration in PA for a crime he did not commit. There was no physical evidence that connected Eddie to the crime. The DNA found at the scene of the crime was not Eddie’s. Eddie’s constitutional rights were violated because the Prosecution withheld from the Defense multiple pieces of evidence which would have benefited Eddie’s case.

Eddie steadfastly fought against the injustice he was experiencing. With the support of his family and friends who stood by him throughout his struggle during the past 27 years, Eddie Ramirez has won the freedom that was stolen from him in 1996.


The Court vacated Eddie’s sentence and the Philadelphia D.A. declined to retry the case. Eddie is exonerated.

DENARD GALLOWAY

Denard Galloway contacted Art for Justice to share his experience of injustice in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system. As he fights for justice while sentenced to life without parole for a crime he says he did not commit, Mr. Galloway creates art to sustain his spirit and keep his hope alive.


Denard wrote, “I have been in prison in PA for 25 years - wrongly convicted of a murder I did not commit. Just imagine my being an innocent man, spending 9,000 days in prison and losing 90% of my family while confined.”


Read more...


DENARD GALLOWAY

Denard Galloway contacted Art for Justice to share his experience of injustice in Pennsylvania's criminal justice system. As he fights for justice while sentenced to life without parole for a crime he says he did not commit, Mr. Galloway creates art to sustain his spirit and keep his hope alive.


Denard wrote, “I have been in prison in PA for 25 years - wrongly convicted of a murder I did not commit. Just imagine my being an innocent man, spending 9,000 days in prison and losing 90% of my family while confined.”


Read more...

Portraits of Philadelphia

Works by Charles Zafir Lawson

Co-Founder of Art for Justice


Charles Zafir Lawson, serving life without parole at Phoenix SCI in PA, is a self – taught artist. Mr. Lawson began to paint as a way to save his sanity and to call out the injustice and oppression in the criminal justice system. Charles Lawson’s thought provoking, inspirational art has been exhibited by AfJ at over 100 venues and events. Many of the murals in Philadelphia created by the Mural Arts Program were painted by individuals incarcerated at Graterford Prison – Charles Lawson’s portraiture is seen in the faces in some of these murals. Mr. Lawson is also to Co-Creator of the Road Map for Life Workshops for Youth.

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