20th Annual Actual Innocence Conference
The 20th Annual Actual Innocence Conference, held on May 14–15, 2026, at Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth, Texas, was co-hosted by The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), Texas A&M University School of Law, and the Innocence Project of Texas. This milestone event focused on the persistent challenges of wrongful convictions and explored strategies for future criminal justice reforms.
The conference addressed key topics such as the leading causes of wrongful convictions—including eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, and unreliable forensic evidence—and discussed best practices in law enforcement investigations and evidence collection. Sessions also covered the reliability and admissibility of forensic evidence, ethical and legal disclosure obligations, and the evolving role of Conviction Integrity Units in correcting and deterring wrongful convictions.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with experts through various sessions, including a keynote address by Jim McCloskey, founder of Centurion Ministries, and discussions featuring exonerees like the San Antonio Four. The event also offered networking opportunities for professionals across the criminal justice system to collaborate on reform initiatives.
This conference was designed for judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement professionals, forensic scientists, scholars, and anyone interested in advancing criminal justice reform and preventing wrongful convictions.
Speakers(32)
Anna Vazquez
Anna Vazquez is a member of the San Antonio Four, a group exonerated after wrongful convictions.
Barry Scheck
Co-Founder at Innocence Project
Barry Scheck is the Co-Founder of the Innocence Project, dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals.
Bill Wirskye
First Assistant District Attorney at Collin County, Texas
Bill Wirskye is the First Assistant District Attorney in Collin County, Texas, handling major criminal cases.
Cassie Rivera Hurtado
Cassie Rivera Hurtado is a member of the San Antonio Four, a group exonerated after wrongful convictions.
Cheryl Wattley
Professor at University of North Texas
Cheryl Wattley is a professor at the University of North Texas, specializing in criminal law and justice.
Cynthia Garza
Former CIU Director at Dallas, Texas
Cynthia Garza served as the Conviction Integrity Unit Director in Dallas, Texas, focusing on case reviews.
Dan Jackson
Detective at Austin Police Department
Dan Jackson is a Detective with the Austin Police Department, involved in investigating complex criminal cases.
Detective Shaun Sylvester
Detective at Houston Police Department
Detective Shaun Sylvester is with the Houston Police Department, implementing evidence-based interviewing techniques.
Gary Udashen
Attorney at Udashen and Anton
Gary Udashen is an attorney at Udashen and Anton in Dallas, Texas, specializing in criminal defense.
Hon. Bert Richardson
Judge at Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Hon. Bert Richardson serves as a Judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, adjudicating significant criminal cases.
Hon. David Newell
Judge at Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Hon. David Newell is a Judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, contributing to the state's highest criminal court.
Jim McCloskey
Founder at Centurion Ministries
Jim McCloskey is the founder of Centurion Ministries, dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals.
Kristie Mayhugh
Kristie Mayhugh is a member of the San Antonio Four, a group exonerated after wrongful convictions.
Leslie MacClean
Immediate Past President at Innocence Project of Texas
Leslie MacClean is the Immediate Past President of the Innocence Project of Texas, contributing to the organization's mission to prevent wrongful convictions.
Liz Ramirez
Liz Ramirez is a member of the San Antonio Four, a group exonerated after wrongful convictions.
Lynn Garcia
General Counsel at Texas Forensic Science Commission
Lynn Garcia serves as the General Counsel for the Texas Forensic Science Commission, overseeing legal matters.
Mark Smith
Program Chair at The Center for American and International Law
Mark Smith serves as the Program Chair at The Center for American and International Law, coordinating various criminal justice programs.
Mike Corley
Former Chief of Police at Brownwood, Texas
Mike Corley is the former Chief of Police in Brownwood, Texas, with extensive law enforcement experience.
Mike Hall
Contributor at Texas Monthly
Mike Hall is a contributor to Texas Monthly, covering legal and criminal justice topics.
Mike Ware
Executive Director at Innocence Project of Texas
Mike Ware is the Executive Director of the Innocence Project of Texas and Director of the Texas A&M Innocence Project, focusing on wrongful conviction cases.
Patricia Cummings
Former Conviction Integrity Unit Director at Dallas and Philadelphia
Patricia Cummings previously directed Conviction Integrity Units in Dallas and Philadelphia, working to prevent wrongful convictions.
Peter Stout
CEO and President at Houston Forensic Science Center
Peter Stout is the CEO and President of the Houston Forensic Science Center, managing forensic operations.
Professor Kim Rossmo
Professor at Texas State University
Professor Kim Rossmo teaches at Texas State University, specializing in criminal justice and investigative science.
Professor Kyle Scherr
Professor at Central Michigan University
Professor Kyle Scherr teaches at Central Michigan University, specializing in criminal justice and forensic psychology.
Professor Laura Smalarz
Professor at Arizona State University
Professor Laura Smalarz teaches at Arizona State University, focusing on eyewitness identification and forensic psychology.
Rick Tulsky
Co-Founder at Injustice Watch
Rick Tulsky is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and co-founder of Injustice Watch, focusing on investigative reporting.
Robert B. AHDIEH
Dean at Texas A&M University School of Law
Robert Ahdieh is the Dean of Texas A&M University School of Law, leading the institution's academic and administrative functions.
Russell Gold
Professor at University of Alabama School of Law
Russell Gold is a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, focusing on criminal justice and ethics.
T.L. Cubbage
President at The Center for American and International Law
T.L. Cubbage serves as the President of The Center for American and International Law, overseeing its initiatives and programs.
Tracey Brame
Cooley Innocence Project at Michigan
Tracey Brame is affiliated with the Cooley Innocence Project in Michigan, working on wrongful conviction cases.
Trudy Strassburger
First Assistant District Attorney at Travis County District Attorney’s Office
Trudy Strassburger is the First Assistant District Attorney for Travis County, overseeing significant criminal prosecutions.
Valerie Newman
CIU Director at Wayne County, Michigan
Valerie Newman is the Conviction Integrity Unit Director in Wayne County, Michigan, overseeing case investigations.
Event Details
- Date
- May 14-15, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Fort Worth, United States
- Texas A&M University School of Law
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement professionals, forensic scientists, scholars, and individuals interested in criminal justice reform.
- CLE Credits
- MCLE Credit available
- Attendees
- Not specified