In 2012, Tyrone Mitchell was arrested for distribution of cocaine. Despite glaring holes and contradictions in law enforcement’s testimony of what happened, and the fact that no evidence except law enforcement testimony corroborated that Mr. Mitchell had ever sold cocaine, Mr. Mitchell was convicted. He was 40 years old, employed, had never committed a crime of violence, and was supported by his church and family. But Mr. Mitchell’s lawyer didn’t share any of this information with the judge, and he was sentenced to life in prison because he had non-violent prior convictions. His lawyer did not even object to the sentence. Under today’s laws, this sentence would would not be allowed by statute.
For nearly a decade, Mr. Mitchell worked in the kitchen at Angola and followed prison rules. When lawyers from Innocence & Justice Louisiana learned about Mr. Mitchell’s case, they filed a post-conviction petition arguing that he was entitled to a new sentence because of the failure of his trial lawyer to protect his rights.
On January 19, 2022, a judge agreed that Mr. Mitchell did not deserve to spend one day more in prison, and he was immediately freed after nearly 10 years in prison.
