Rings for survivors of wrongful conviction
A personal fundraiser by
Alicia MauleDeath row exoneree Kirk Bloodsworth is making exoneree rings for over 300 survivors.
$12,245
raised by 191 people
$30,000 goal
Kirk Bloodsworth was the first person in the U.S. who was exonerated by DNA after spending time on death row for a crime he didnât commit.Â
âIf it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody,â he has said repeatedly.Â
You may know Kirk as a passionate anti-death penalty advocate or for his role in the Innocence Protection Act of 2003 which established the Kirk Bloodsworth Post-conviction DNA Testing Program.
What you may not know is that Kirk is a talented artisan, founder of Bloodstones. Kirk is starting a project to design hand-made exoneree rings for over 300 people who were wrongly convicted in the United States. Â So far he's made over 10 rings for people who spent time in prison unjustly, but he needs your support to finish all of them.Â
"It is more than a piece of jewelry," New York exoneree and attorney Marty Tankleff said of his ring. "It is a symbol of freedom and justice."Â
âI dedicate my work to all the men and women who were wrongfully convicted and to all the victims who lost their lives and lost justice,â Bloodsworth added.Â
"People gave huge portions of their life in captivity for nothing. We owe them this as a society. They are helping change the future with the suffering they endured. This is my contribution to them."Â
100% of the donations to this campaign will go to Kirk for the production of the rings.Â
Details on the ring:
- Sterling silverÂ
- 28 gramsÂ
- Ring is engraved with a teardrop, which represents the exoneree's wrongful conviction
- Ring also has three drops of blood, which represent his or her past, present, and future
- Top of the ring is a door, with "exoneree" or "death row exoneree" on it
- Ring stamped "BS" on the bottom, for Bloods Stones (Kirk's company)
Learn more about Kirkâs case.Â
Testimonials:
"The exoneree ring screams to the world what I have been saying for almost 30 years, that I am innocent. Â It also opens the door to people wanting to understand what an exoneree is and how broken the criminal justice system is. Â It is more than a piece of jewelry, it is a symbol of freedom and justice."Â
-Marty Tankleff, exoneree Â
âWhen most people receive jewelry -- a necklace, a ring, a bracelet -- it touches their heart and incites great emotions. Â But what if you are gifted with a piece of work that has a deeper meaning? I received such a piece of jewelry from a true warrior against the death penalty. Kirk Bloodsworth. It touches not only my heart but my very soul."
-Damon Thibodeaux, death row exoneree
"I went through hell and lived in a place where jewelry wasn't allowed.  Now, I'm out and can wear whatever kind of jewelry I want!  This ring has a very special meaning to me, and it's a privilege to wear it.  Thank you, Kirk, for creating this beautiful gift.âÂ
Debra Milke, death row exoneree
A personal fundraiser by
Alicia Maule