“Wrongfully Convicted Dad Seeks Support After Losing Everyth

My name is Michael Lawson, and I am a father of three. Eleven years of my life were stolen from me when I was wrongfully convicted of a crime I did not commit.

During those years behind bars, I endured pain and loss no parent should ever have to face. Two of my teenage sons were murdered while I sat in a prison cell, unable to be there to protect them or grieve with my family. I also lost my father—my role model and the man I looked up to—to COVID while I was still incarcerated.

When I finally came home, my youngest son was already preparing for prom. Rebuilding a relationship with him has been a challenge, because he grew up without a father figure. I lost the chance to guide him through his teenage years, to watch him grow into a young man, and to simply be there as his dad.

On top of the emotional devastation, my health has suffered. I underwent surgery while in prison, and due to mistakes, I now live with ongoing health problems that prevent me from working. I want to provide for myself and my family, but my health and the stigma of my wrongful conviction make it nearly impossible to secure a job or housing.

What makes this even harder is that, although I was exonerated, the public record still shows the crime without saying I was cleared. Because of this, I’m being denied compensation for the 11 years that were unjustly taken from me. The truth is, people like me—who were proven innocent—are forced to start life over from scratch with no help, no resources, and no accountability for the prosecutors and detectives who made these mistakes.

I’m sharing my story because I need help to rebuild my life. Your support will go toward housing, medical care, and simply trying to create some stability after losing so much. I want to focus on healing, reconnecting with my son, and finding a way forward.

No one can give me back the years I lost, my children, or my father. But with your support, I can begin to piece my life back together.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story and for any help you can give.

— Michael Lawson