Great North Innocence Project

Help us free the innocent.

The Great North Innocence Project frees people convicted of crimes they did not commit and prevents wrongful convictions.

We employ three main strategies: 

1. We investigate and litigate cases where newly discovered evidence can prove actual innocence.
2. We educate law students, legal professionals, and the public to address the root cause of wrongful convictions.
3. We advocate to reform the criminal-legal system and address the fundamental causes of wrongful convictions.

In 2025, GNIP is facing a significant loss; a major federal grant was abruptly terminated, even as we face unprecedented demand for our services. Unless we close this $200,000 funding gap, innocent people will be forced to spend even more time in prison and could miss their chance to present evidence of their innocence that could finally free them.   

Your gift today helps justice ripple onward. Together, we can free the innocent and prevent future wrongful convictions. 

Double Your Impact

Your generosity on Give to the Max Day will go twice as far! The Thom Family Foundation will match each donation made, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.

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Imagine spending years behind bars for a crime you didn’t commit. That was the unimaginable reality for Edgar Barrientos-Quintana, who was sentenced to life without parole in May 2009 for a drive-by shooting in South Minneapolis. No physical evidence ever linked Edgar to the crime, the murder weapon was never recovered, surveillance video placed Edgar in a different city during the time of the shooting, and he did not match eyewitness accounts of the shooter. He lost precious years—missing milestones like birthdays, holidays, and honoring loved ones at their funerals—all while fighting daily to prove his innocence.

Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Great North Innocence Project, with over a decade of pro bono support from attorney Marnie Fearon and investigations by the Conviction Review Unit, Edgar was exonerated and released from prison on November 6, 2024, after nearly 16 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.

Now, his strength and resilience inspire hope for countless others still awaiting justice.

Support GNIP in creating ripples of justice, hope, and healing for more innocent people like Edgar and their loved ones.

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Your support will allow the Great North Innocence Project to:

REVIEW applications of incarcerated people claiming actual innocence.

INVESTIGATE cases of actual innocence including interviewing witnesses, testing forensic evidence, and consulting scientific experts.

FIGHT in court to prove innocence and secure freedom for the wrongfully convicted.

TEACH the next generation of legal professionals about the causes, consequences, and remedies of wrongful convictions.

ADVOCATE for reforms that ensure a just legal system for all.

COLLABORATE with community partners to educate the public about our mission.

All donations made through GiveMN between November 1 and November 20 will be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match generously provided by the Thom Family Foundation. 

Thank you for standing with GNIP this Give to the Max Day to help reunite innocent people with their loved ones and prevent wrongful convictions.

GNIP Freed Clients in Media Gallery: Edgar Barrientos-Quintana, Bryan Hooper, Sr., Robert Kaiser, Robert Bintz, Marvin Haynes, Cassandra Black Elk, Michael Hansen, Terry Olson, Thomas Rhodes, Sherman Townsend.