Wrongful Convictions: Race, Culture, & Poverty

The Center for Justice and Law presents Wrongful Convictions: Race, Culture, and Poverty

Friday, October 4th 12:30 - 4:30 pm at Hamline University Anderson Center (774 Snelling Ave N., St. Paul, MN).

Come hear the experiences of Julie Jonas from the Minnesota Innocence Project and Koua Fong Lee, who was wrongly convicted of killing three people in 2006 in the Twin Cities. This event will examine the role of race, culture, and poverty in contributing to wrongful convictions. Registration begins at 12:30pm. Continuing education credit is available for select boards (more information below). If you would like to receive credit, please purchase a continuing education ticket.

In June 2006, while Koua Fong Lee and his family were driving home from church in St. Paul, Minnesota, Lee’s Toyota Camry suddenly accelerated to 90 mph and crashed into the back of another car, killing three people and injuring others. Koua Fong Lee was convicted of all of the charges and he was sentenced to 8 years in prison. Based on new evidence and the errors of his trial attorney, Lee filed a motion for a new trial. Before the trial judge was to rule on his motion, Lee rejected a deal from the prosecution in which he could have been immediately released if he withdrew his motion and pled guilty. In August 2010, the trial court judge vacated Lee’s conviction and granted him a new trial. Shortly after the ruling, the prosecution announced that it would not seek a retrial and Lee was released.

Speakers:

John Choi

Ramsey County Attorney

Julie Jonas

Legal Director, MN Innocence Project

Hans Anderson

Assistant Attorney General

Koua Fong Lee

Wrongfully Convicted Individual

Panghoua Moua

Wife of Wrongfully Convicted Individual

Kathleen Moccio

Lawyer, Binger Center for New Americans

Jillian Peterson, PhD

Psychologist and Director, Center for Justice and Law

Agenda:

12:30 - 1:00 pm: Registration and networking

1:00 - 1:20 pm: Overview of wrongful convictions by Dr. Jillian Peterson

1:20 - 1:40 pm: John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney

1:40 - 2:00 pm: Kathleen Moccio

2:00 - 2:15 pm: Break

2:15 - 3:15 pm: Julie Jonas, Hans Anderson, Koua Fong Lee, and Panghoua Moua

3:15 - 3:30 pm: Break

3:30 - 4:30 pm: Panel with all speakers - audience questions

We are still accepting sponsors for this event! Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities here.

Continuing Education:

Three (3) hours of continuing education is available from the following boards:

• MN Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
• MN Board of Social Work
• MN Board of Continuing Legal Education (CLE - 1.5 Ethics, 1.5 Bias)
• MN Educator Licensing and Board of Teaching

If you need approval from a different board, please email us at cjl@hamline.edu

Continuing Education certificates will be provided within two weeks of the event to individuals who purchase the "continuing education ticket" and check-in at the event!

Refund Policy:

Tickets will not be refunded or transferred after they are purchased.

Free Tickets:

If you need a free ticket, please fill out this form. Free tickets are limited and given on a priority basis.

If you have any questions, please email us at cjl@hamline.edu