Senator Pennacchio’s bill, S-3045, would establish the “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission,” which would be charged with developing reforms to reduce wrongful convictions in New Jersey.

Pennacchio introduced S-3045 more than seven months ago, but it has not had a single committee hearing.

In addition to exoneree Rodney Roberts, Pennacchio will also be joined by members of the NAACP New Jersey State conference and Lesley Risinger, Director of The Last Resort Exoneration Project at Seton Hall University Law School, which provides pro-bono investigative and legal services to inmates seeking exoneration.

WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26), exonerees Rodney Roberts and A.J. Nash; Richard Smith and Safeer Z. Quraishi of the NAACP New Jersey State Conference; and Lesley Risinger, Director of The Last Resort Exoneration Project.

WHAT: Press conference calling for action on Sen. Pennacchio’s S-3045 establishing the “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission,” to reduce wrongful convictions and provide aid to those seeking exoneration in New Jersey.

WHEN: Thursday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Committee Room 1, New Jersey Statehouse Annex.

AVAILABILITY: OPEN

CONTACT: Emily Everson, Senate Republican Office, 609-847-3600; eeverson@njleg.org