On November 20, 2019, Klau Center Director Jennifer Mason McAward welcomed Patrick Pursley and Kevin Murphy as lecturers in her class on Post-Conviction Remedies. Mr. Pursley was exonerated after spending 23 years in prison for a first -degree murder conviction based on faulty ballistics evidence. Mr. Murphy, NDLS ’14, represented Mr. Pursley in his post-conviction proceedings. The conversation touched on topics from life in prison to changing scientific standards for courtroom evidence to the importance of listening to inmates who claim innocence.
“Mr. Pursley and Mr. Murphy’s presentation enriched our Notre Dame community and helped us bring new perspectives to bear on questions of human dignity,” said Professor McAward.