A honorably discharged former Marine, Kirk Bloodsworth is the first person in the United States exonerated from death row by DNA testing. In 1984 he was arrested for the rape and murder of nine-year-old girl. He was sentenced to death in Maryland in 1985.

In 1992, Kirk read about a new forensic breakthrough called DNA fingerprinting, and lobbied successfully for prosecutors approval for its use on evidence collected at the crime scene. The tests established Kirk’s innocence, and he was released from prison in June 1993.

Kirk will tour Kentucky colleges and churches to share his story of wrongful conviction and exoneration.  Look below for the event closest to you: