Amanda Knox

And one area that is in desperate need of change is how the wrongly convicted are supported after release. Emerging from prison is destabilizing and disorienting, whether you're guilty or innocent. But ironically, the guilty are provided many more resources when they are paroled, from counseling to help with housing, medical care, and food.

And one area that is in desperate need of change is how the wrongly convicted are supported after release. Emerging from prison is destabilizing and disorienting, whether you're guilty or innocent. But ironically, the guilty are provided many more resources when they are paroled, from counseling to help with housing, medical care, and food.

The wrongly convicted, by contrast, often don't even get a bus pass.

The wrongly convicted, by contrast, often don't even get a bus pass.

But there's compensation, right? There's no guarantee, especially because many wrongly convicted people who get released aren't done with the legal battle to clear their name. Not guilty isn't the same as innocent. In my own case, though I was acquitted in 2011, the Italian courts retried me for the same crime in absentia.

But there's compensation, right? There's no guarantee, especially because many wrongly convicted people who get released aren't done with the legal battle to clear their name. Not guilty isn't the same as innocent. In my own case, though I was acquitted in 2011, the Italian courts retried me for the same crime in absentia.

I was found guilty again, and I had to appeal again, all the while facing extradition back to Italy. I spent another four years in that limbo, unable to plant roots or move on with my life, fearing that the future would take me back to that prison cell across the world.

I was found guilty again, and I had to appeal again, all the while facing extradition back to Italy. I spent another four years in that limbo, unable to plant roots or move on with my life, fearing that the future would take me back to that prison cell across the world.

How do you get a job or date or even move through society when everyone you meet sees you under a cloud of suspicion because you're not yet legally vindicated? It wasn't until 2015 that Italy's Supreme Court finally declared me factually innocent of murder. In Ian's case, his conviction was vacated and he walked free.

How do you get a job or date or even move through society when everyone you meet sees you under a cloud of suspicion because you're not yet legally vindicated? It wasn't until 2015 that Italy's Supreme Court finally declared me factually innocent of murder. In Ian's case, his conviction was vacated and he walked free.

But all that meant was that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He was not yet declared factually innocent. And in the meantime, imagine having to explain the 20-plus year gap in your job history or the results of your background check.

But all that meant was that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He was not yet declared factually innocent. And in the meantime, imagine having to explain the 20-plus year gap in your job history or the results of your background check.

I still get panicky going through background checks today or when going through customs while traveling internationally because there is often no box to check that says convicted of a crime but actually innocent. You always have to explain. So you can imagine how much getting that legal vindication matters for someone like Ian.

I still get panicky going through background checks today or when going through customs while traveling internationally because there is often no box to check that says convicted of a crime but actually innocent. You always have to explain. So you can imagine how much getting that legal vindication matters for someone like Ian.

things could be so much worse. Thankfully, prosecutors are not seeking to retry Ian for this same crime. But a hearing to declare him factually innocent would take time. And until then, he remains merely not guilty. For Sean, since he took a plea deal, he's still considered guilty in the eyes of the law. And in October of 2023, it's Sean's turn before the magistrate.

things could be so much worse. Thankfully, prosecutors are not seeking to retry Ian for this same crime. But a hearing to declare him factually innocent would take time. And until then, he remains merely not guilty. For Sean, since he took a plea deal, he's still considered guilty in the eyes of the law. And in October of 2023, it's Sean's turn before the magistrate.

Attorney Keith Shigatomi takes the floor to dive into the case, explaining that Sean made the difficult decision to plead guilty to avoid a possible lifetime in prison despite evidence of his innocence. Now, Sean is seeking to withdraw his plea and clear his name. A modern jury would likely acquit him based on the evidence presented.

Attorney Keith Shigatomi takes the floor to dive into the case, explaining that Sean made the difficult decision to plead guilty to avoid a possible lifetime in prison despite evidence of his innocence. Now, Sean is seeking to withdraw his plea and clear his name. A modern jury would likely acquit him based on the evidence presented.

Judge Kubota isn't blind to the looming risk of a gross miscarriage of justice in Sean's conviction, something he refers to as manifest injustice. He emphasizes the importance of a thorough and fair examination of all available evidence that brings true justice to light. And so officially, on October 23rd, 2023, Sean's conviction is reversed. Now, like his brother, he is officially not guilty.

Judge Kubota isn't blind to the looming risk of a gross miscarriage of justice in Sean's conviction, something he refers to as manifest injustice. He emphasizes the importance of a thorough and fair examination of all available evidence that brings true justice to light. And so officially, on October 23rd, 2023, Sean's conviction is reversed. Now, like his brother, he is officially not guilty.