The Oklahoma Innocence Project is preparing for a court hearing next week as it continues efforts to secure a new trial for Karl Fontenot, whose case was featured in the Netflix documentary “The Innocent Man.”
Investigating claims of innocence
The Oklahoma Innocence Project is a clinic at Oklahoma City University School of Law that works with law students on cases involving people who say they were wrongfully convicted. Andrea Miller, legal director of the Oklahoma Innocence Project, says they are preparing for any outcome that could arise from the upcoming hearing.
“There’s a possibility the court might dismiss the case on one of our motions,” Miller said. “But if it doesn’t, we think that the case will move forward and we will finally get a trial date set.”
Miller said inmates seeking help initially complete a lengthy questionnaire before the organization begins a deeper review of their case.
“We take a hard look at the people who do actually ask us for help,” Miller said. “But our process doesn’t stop there. Then we spend sometimes years investigating the case.”
The organization may request DNA testing and examine forensic evidence as part of its investigation, Miller said.
“We conduct an intensive investigation. We do DNA testing. We try to find any forensic evidence that might support a claim of innocence before we ever step foot in a courtroom on the case,” she said.
Fontenot case background
Miller said Fontenot’s case involves more than what she described as a procedural error.
“In a case like Karl’s case, it wasn’t some technicality,” Miller said. “What it was was the state hiding evidence, including his alibi, that is completely unimpeached.”
Miller said the evidence shows where Fontenot was at the time of the abduction and maintains he was not involved.
The case gained national attention after it was featured in “The Innocent Man,” a Netflix documentary based on John Grisham’s book about two Oklahoma murder cases.
Wrongful Conviction Day event
The Oklahoma Innocence Project is also preparing for its annual Wrongful Conviction Day dinner on Oct. 2 at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.
The event coincides with the international observance of Wrongful Conviction Day and will also mark the Oklahoma Innocence Project’s 15th anniversary.
Malcolm Scott, one of the organization’s exonerees, will deliver the keynote address.
Miller said it will be the first time one of the organization’s exonerees has been featured during the program itself.
Tickets for the event are available through the Oklahoma Innocence Project’s website.
