Johnny Lee Gates: Innocent & Freed After 43 Years

*ALL funds raised on this MightyCause fundraiser will go directly to Johnny Lee Gates, not Georgia Innocence Project, and are not  tax-deductible.*

Today an innocent man is free at last!  Mr. Johnny Gates, now 64-years-old, spent the past 43 years in prison (including 26 years on death row) for a crime he did not commit.  Johnny fought in court for 43 years for this day.  He has always maintained his innocence.  When he was released, Johnny was welcomed to freedom by loving supporters, including his attorneys with the Georgia Innocence Project and Southern Center for Human Rights. 

Johnny’s freedom follows a superior court order granting Johnny a new trial and a Georgia Supreme Court opinion affirming that Johnny’s conviction must be vacated due to new, exculpatory DNA evidence of innocence. On May 15, 2020, Johnny entered an agreement with the State, in which he maintained his innocence and the State agreed to his immediate release. You can read more about Johnny’s case here and here.

Johnny Gates has a long road of recovery ahead, starting with two weeks of quarantine. He will have virtually no support from the State as he transitions into freedom.  By contributing to this MightyCause Fundraiser, you will help build a foundation of support for Johnny as he rebuilds his life from scratch. Your gift to Mr. Gates will help him manage basic living expenses, connect with support resources, and better position him to handle unique concerns posed by COVID-19. 

ALL funds raised on this MightyCause fundraiser will go directly to Johnny Lee Gates and are not tax-deductible. 

If you have any questions or concerns about this fundraiser, please feel free to contact Mike Coszalter at Georgia Innocence Project (404) 373-4433 or mike@georgiainnocence.org.