WCAA Exoneree Speakers Bureau

Exonerees bring our police training curriculum to life. Two Speakers Bureau members attend each training to share their personal stories of wrongful conviction and imprisonment. They do it because they want to help prevent what happened to them from happening to another innocent person. Many find the supportive exchange with officers aids their healing process. Meet a few of our speakers, who also share their stories with audiences nationwide.
Story view
List view

Angel Gonzalez

County of conviction: 
Lake

In 1995, 20-year-old Angel was falsely accused of a violent kidnapping and sexual assault. No physical evidence ever tied him to the crime. After hours of interrogation, Angel signed a “confession” written by police in English, though he read and spoke only Spanish. Angel, along with Kristine Bunch, was one of the first exonerees to share his story with police officers during the program's formation.

‍

  • Convicted of sexual assault
  • 21 years wrongfully imprisoned
  • Exonerated and freed in 2015 with the help of the Illinois Innocence Project and the Innocence Project
Angel Gonzalez
21
Years Served
Freed
2015