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David Gavitt was able to overcome tremendous devastation after his home was burned to the ground and his entire family was killed in a blazing fire in 1985. However, David was wrongly convicted of arson and murder based on faulty testimony and lab results and spent the next 27 years of his life in prison. Just a few days ago David was released from prison thanks to the help of the Innocence Project at the University of Michigan.

The Innocence Project is co-directed by Bridget Mary McCormack, who is currently running for Michigan Supreme Court in 2012. Law students involved with the Innocence Project investigate and litigate on behalf of prisoners who have new evidence that have the potential to establish that they are actually innocent of crimes for which they have been convicted. The Innocence Project successfully exonerated two other men, Marvin and DeShawn Reed, who were wrongfully convicted of shooting Shannon Gholston in 2000. They spent eight years behind bars before the U of M Innocence Project students were able to gain them a new trial and ultimately help them regain their freedom.

Bridget Mary McCormack has worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of people like David Gavitt and the Reeds, which is evidenced by her compassionate and tireless work as the co-director of the Innocence Project at U of M. In a recent email, she reiterated her dedication to reforming the gaps in the justice system that lead to wrongful convictions and other injustices. This is also why she is running for Michigan Supreme Court; so that she can bring light to the issues in our justice system that contribute to the disenfranchisement of Michiganders.

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