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innocence projectSACRAMENTO-

Several dozen demonstrators marched to the Capitol building to ask Governor Jerry Brown to grant clemency to a dozen convicted felons who say they are innocent.

The so-called “California 12” are backed by the California Innocence Project, an effort by faculty and students of the California Western School of Law.

The project has helped exonerate a dozen people who were in prison, some for decades, for crimes they supposedly committed. The project only takes on cases where there is compelling evidence of innocence including witnesses who have recanted their testimony, DNA evidence, or outdated science that lead to convictions.

A half dozen exonerated inmates were present at the rally on the steps of the Capitol along with family members of those in prison who feel clemency by the Governor during the  holidays is the only right thing to do.

Project director Justin Brooks says it a huge task to overturn a conviction even in the light of convincing new evidence.  That’s why they are asking the governor to go the clemency route.