Free John Payne
Together, John Payne, Fidel Santiago, and Hernan "Spel" Cortes have spent more than 120 years wrongly incarcerated. Each has submitted an application for commutation of their sentence so that they can return to their families. John, Fidel, and Spel go before the Board of Pardons for a merit review on July 10, 2025. If voted forward, they will proceed to a public hearing where the Board will make a final decision.
For John, Spel, and Fidel, this is likely a last chance to have their cases heard and to hope for release from prison.
““He is a peaceful optimist. He sees the good in everyone and helps them see the good in themselves... He is a one of a kind person. I pray one day we will all lay our heads under the same roof.””
Meet John: John Payne has been incarcerated for more than 40 years. He was wrongfully convicted of a 1981 murder - a conviction based primarily on unreliable witness testimony. No physical evidence tied John to the crime.
John is a military veteran. He has earned an associate's degree while wrongly incarcerated, and completed an upholsterer apprenticeship.
John plays an active and positive role in the prison community as a tutor and member of multiple committees and his church. He is closely connected to his family and longs to return home to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren.
Spread the Word: In the coming weeks, we will ask you to share posts on social networks and help us to spread the word about your support for Project clients. An easy place to start is to look for this campaign on the Project's LinkedIn page and share posts with your network.