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Former death row inmate Anthony Ray Hinton to speak Feb. 27


Last updated February 12, 2019

By News administrator

Anthony Ray Hinton will speak about his nearly 30 years on Alabama’s death row Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. at Furman University’s McAlister Auditorium.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Furman University’s NAACP, Religious Council, Poverty Awareness Committee, Student Diversity Council and St. Joseph’s Catholic School. To guarantee a seat, register at Furman.edu/RayHinton.

Hinton was wrongly convicted for two capital murders in 1986. He was exonerated in 2015 after more than a decade of litigation by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).

Hinton now travels the world speaking about his experience and serves as EJI’s community educator. Recently he authored a memoir, “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row,” which Oprah Winfrey selected as her Book Club Summer 2018 Read.

anthony ray hinton

Jack Ligon, Riley Institute Advance Team leader

The event is organized by the Riley Institute at Furman’s Advance Team, a select group of Furman students who act as ambassadors for Furman and the Riley Institute. The team works closely with the Riley Institute and the Department of Politics and International Affairs to execute events and host distinguished scholars and guests during their time on Furman’s campus.

“When the Advance Team started to discuss a topic for this event, there was overwhelming support, even across ideological lines, to explore the issue of criminal justice reform,” said Jack Ligon, Furman senior and Advance Team leader. “Mr. Hinton’s story is so compelling, and we wanted to bring attention to this important issue.”

anthony ray hinton

Jonathan Kubakundimana ’16, EJI associate

Following Hinton’s remarks, former Riley Institute Advance Team member and EJI associate Jonathan Kubakundimana (Class of 2016) will discuss EJI’s work overturning wrongful convictions and advancing criminal justice reform.

Copies of Hinton’s book will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the program.

For more information, visit the Riley Institute’s website, or contact the Riley Institute at 864-294-3546. Or contact the Furman News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.

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Clinton Colmenares
Director of News and Media Strategy