Juan Melendez, Death Row Exoneree, Speaking
In Colorado
On January 3, 2002, Juan Roberto Melendez,
an innocent man, was released from Florida's
death row after 17 years, eight months and
one day. Unfortunately, although his case is
unique on its facts, the circumstance of
being innocent and on death row is, shamefully,
anything but unique. Upon his release, Juan
became the ninety-ninth death row inmate
in the country to be exonerated and released
because of innocence since 1973.
In spite of his torturous experience, receiving
no financial assistance or compensation for
his wrongful death sentence and never receiving
an apology from those responsible, Juan,
without bitterness, anger or hatred, has
shared his story throughout the country (and
beyond) with tens of thousands of people.
Now you can share Juan's story, too. Come
hear him at the following events in Colorado. 
Event Schedule
Browse these Web pages for information about
events with Juan Melendez:
More About Juan
Juan's story is one of supreme injustice
and his legal case highlights all of the
endemic and pervasive problems of the death
penalty, including its high risk of being
imposed on the innocent, its almost exclusive
application to our most vulnerable and defenseless
citizens - the poor - and its unfair
and disproportionate application on the basis
of race and ethnicity. However, his story
is also a profoundly personal one: A story
of survival where the human spirit triumphs
over the oppressive forces of dehumanization,
degradation and death.
To date, he has shared his story on two
continents and his story has been reported
in English, French, Spanish, Italian and
Arabic. Now you have the opportunity to hear
Juan's story.
Event Sponsors
Various events with Juan Melendez are sponsored
by Coloradans for Alternatives Against the
Death Penalty. Some events are also cosponsored
by other civic-minded groups. These sponsoring
groups include the American Civil Liberties
Union of Colorado, the DU Law School's Chapters
of the American Constitution Society for
Law and Policy, the Latino Student Union
at PCCC, NLG, and NBLSA.
