Mar 01 2023
Race and Wrongful Conviction: The Case of Zip Michael Sutton

Race and Wrongful Conviction: The Case of Zip Michael Sutton

Presented by The University of Akron at Student Union, Jean Hower Taber Gardner Theatre

This event features Michael Sutton, the newest freed client of the Ohio Innocence Project, who was acquitted in September 2022 after serving 15 years in prison for an attempted murder he did not commit. It is hosted by the UA student organization chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project, co-sponsored by Criminal Justice Association and Sociology Club.

This student-led event features the speaker Michael Sutton who was convicted in 2007 of attempted murder and other crimes he did not commit. The day 18-year-old Michael Sutton was arrested on these charges is also the day that he learned that he had a scholarship to the University of Akron. He had hoped to enroll in the business school that fall but was tried and convicted and subsequently spent 15 years behind bars as an innocent man.

The Ohio Innocence Project celebrated the exoneration of Michael, their 35th successful client since its foundation in 2003 in September 2022.

The UA student organization chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project hopes to give Michael a warm “homecoming” at U Akron with this event. The event is co-sponsored by the Criminal Justice Association and the Sociology Club, and student organizations will use this event as recruiting opportunity. Students will contextualize Michael’s story with the latest research on race and wrongful conviction in the United States.

This event is part of The University of Akron’s Rethinking Race event series, a two-week forum of events focused on facilitating “courageous conversations designed to promote inclusive excellence” regarding race and race-related issues. Thank you to our Rethinking Race sponsors the County of Summit ADM Board, Mercury Plastics, Goodyear, FirstEnergy Foundation, FedEx Custom Critical, Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Ilene Shapiro’s Summit County Department of Job and Family Services, the Akron Community Foundation, the City of Akron, Philip and Paulette Thompson, and Dr. Sheldon Wrice.

Admission Info

Free event, open to the public.

Dates & Times

2023/03/01 - 2023/03/01

Location Info

Student Union, Jean Hower Taber Gardner Theatre

303 Carroll St, Akron, OH 44325