FreeTonyViola.com Co-Sponsors EPIC’s - Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens – Fifth Annual Wrongful Conviction Rally Thursday, October 2nd at Noon, Cuyahoga County Justice Center, West 3rd and Lakeside Ave. in Downtown Cleveland

For Additional Information or to register as a speaker, kindly contact Event Organizer Jeanna Kenney at [email protected]

 

Cleveland, Ohio – August 4, 2025 – FreeTonyViola announced today that it is a co-sponsor of EPIC’s (Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens) fifth annual rally on Thursday, October 2nd at Noon to highlight Cuyahoga County’s role as the epicenter wrongful convictions. According to The National Registry of Exonerations, there have been at least 3,709 judicially recognized exonerations since 1989, constituting more than 35,000 years lost. Cuyahoga County has far more exonerees than any other community, including many citizens who spent decades incarcerated for crimes they did not commit.

Wrongful Conviction Day is a national event across the nation designed by the Innocence Network to raise awareness of the causes and remedies of wrongful conviction and to recognize the tremendous personal, social, and emotional costs of wrongful convictions on innocent people and their families. 

In advance of his appearance at the event, former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly stated: “A wrongful conviction is the worst form of injustice that can occur in our system and we should do everything we can to prevent it on the front end from happening, but also take steps to reform the post-conviction process to remedy wrongful conviction as soon as possible.”

The keynote speaker, attorney Kim Corral, whose law firm works extensively on post-conviction litigation, stated “As always, I am honored to participate in Cuyahoga County's Wrongful Conviction Day. It is crucially important to spread awareness about the all too common-place occurrence of wrongful convictions. It is also an important opportunity to remind those harmed by wrongful conviction that they are not forgotten, that we have not tired in their fight for justice and that the community is calling for change.”

Ed and Karen Pasela, the parents of the late Dawn Pasela, said, “We are so happy to support Wrongful Conviction Day, because our daughter Dawn worked for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and a multi-jurisdictional Task Force.  Dawn saw injustices inside the Prosecutor’s Office and refused to stand by and watch innocent people being sent to prison.  Instead, she fought so hard for justice and did everything she could to prevent wrongful convictions.”

Tony Viola, who was exonerated at a second trial after an initial conviction, said, “Wrongful convictions aren’t mistakes but often result from intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors, who start with a conclusion, target people for prosecution, then hide or destroy evidence that doesn’t comport with their theory of the case.  Ending rampant injustices and intentional wrongdoing by prosecutors should be a top priority for all officials in our government.”

Event organizer Jeanna Kenney added, “If you have a loved one incarcerated who is fighting a wrongful conviction, we encourage you to join us, bring your family, and join us in solidarity to be boots on ground.  We are also asking for help sharing the event on your social media pages and by inviting family and friends in person. Also, we would welcome additional speakers and sponsors, so please reach out for further details.”

ABOUT EPIC- Ensuring Parole for Incarcerated Citizens:  EPIC is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization advocating for fair laws and treatment within our penal system. We are currently fighting hard on Parole Reform and the treatment of incarcerated citizens throughout Ohio. We are a team built with amazing individuals who are passionate and dedicated to bring those deserving of a second chance HOME!

ABOUT ATTORNEY KIMBERLY KENDALL CORRAL:  Kimberly Kendall Corral has successfully and aggressively defended a wide range of criminal cases from misdemeanors to capital homicide cases. Kim represents clients at all levels of criminal justice advocacy, including investigation, indictment, pre-trial motions practice, trial, direct appeals, post-conviction remedies, jurisdictional appeals, habeas corpus, and wrongful conviction litigation.  Kim was invited to the Oval Office to discuss a client’s pardon with the President of the United States and White House Counsel. She was honored as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Additional information can be found at www.kimlawcrimlaw.com.

ABOUT JUSTICEFORDAWN.COM:  Whistleblower Dawn Pasela worked for the Prosecutor’s Office in Cleveland and was found dead under suspicious circumstances as she was set to testify at the second criminal trial of Tony Viola.  Dawn’s death has never been investigated, nor has the disappearance of her computer with evidence that may lead to over 1,000 exonerations. The JustuceForDawn team is advocating for a proper investigation by an independent law enforcement agency, and to hold powerful law enforcement officials accountable for their actions, which led to Dawn’s death.

ABOUT FREETONYVIOLA.COM:  FreeTonyViola.com’s mission is to shine a bright spotlight on the ‘win at all costs’ tactics, prosecutorial overreach and misconduct the United States Department of Justice employs when prosecuting American citizens.  Tony Viola was investigated by the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Fraud Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of state, local and federal agencies, and prosecuted in parallel federal and state cases. He lost the federal case but was exonerated at a subsequent state trial.  The website, originally created to solicit leads for Tony’s investigative team, has evolved into a tool to keep the public informed about critical developments in his case, and to share information that could potentially assist others who have been wrongfully ensnared by our criminal justice system.  For additional information, visit http://www.FreeTonyViola.com, friend us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tony.viola.9212, or follow us on X @TonyViola.

# # #