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LAPLACE — Sullivan Walter was exonerated on August 25, 2022 at age 53 after spending 36 years and two months in prison for a rape he did not commit. Walter was only 17 years old when he was arrested and prosecuted as an adult despite serological testing on seminal fluids from the victim proving he was not the perpetrator. His case represents the longest known wrongful incarceration of a juvenile in Louisiana history.

The St. John the Baptist Parish community is invited to hear Walter share his story at 7 p.m. January 17, 2023 at Rich Agape Word Church, located at 1260 Main Street in LaPlace. Deishonda Greenwood of Forever Care Resource Center is partnering with Rich Agape Word to host this event.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Greenwood is committed to engaging the community while providing education and resources relating to mental health services. More information on Forever Care Resource Center is available at https://deishonda-greewood.clientsecure.me/

“We want to invite the community and highlight the importance of social justice by bringing awareness to how wrongful convictions have really impacted society,” Greenwood said.

This event is open to the public, and children ages 12 and older are encouraged to attend. Greenwood hopes to see participation from all ages, but especially young people ages 12 to 25.

“The goal is to bring awareness to your surroundings, your decision-making, and understanding how you can end up in situations you had no idea you would be in. It’s about being able to reach out to your family if you are ever in an unjust situation, communicating what is going on, and knowing how to carry yourself,” Greenwood said.

Additional details about Walter’s story can be found at https://ip-no.org/what-we-do/free-innocent-prisoners/client-profiles/sullivan-walter/

For more information about the January 17 event, please call 504-399-1161.