Charlie
People | Jan 21, 2025 | Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Charlie Weiss, a partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, was quoted in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch regarding his role in the exoneration of Joshua Kezer. Kezer was wrongfully convicted of the 1992 murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless and was sentenced to 60 years in prison despite lacking credible evidence. In cooperation with the Midwest Innocence Project, Weiss spearheaded a thorough reexamination of the case which revealed substantial investigational missteps and presented new exculpatory evidence, leading to Kezer's exoneration in 2009. The case gained new attention with the recent indictment of Lawless's former boyfriend, Leon Lamb, for her murder. Weiss expressed surprise at this development, stating that during past involvement in the case, no evidence linked Lamb to the crime. The publication further noted Weiss's involvement in another major exoneration case, that of Donald Doc Nash, highlighting his continued commitment to justice for the wrongfully convicted through BCLP's partnership with the Midwest Innocence Project.
Sectors
- Legal Services
- Social Advocacy
Geography
- United States – The events described in the article, including the exoneration cases and legal proceedings, are based in the United States.
- Missouri – The specific cases detailed in the article, such as the murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless and the exoneration of Joshua Kezer, took place in Missouri.
Industry
- Legal Services – This industry classification is relevant because the article focuses on the legal work and achievements of a law firm partner in overturning wrongful convictions.
- Social Advocacy – The involvement of the Midwest Innocence Project highlights the sector's relevance as it engages in advocacy for wrongfully convicted individuals.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Legal Advisor | Company | A law firm involved in the exoneration of wrongfully convicted individuals through partnership with the Midwest Innocence Project. |
| Charlie Weiss | Partner | Person | A partner at BCLP who was instrumental in the exoneration of Joshua Kezer and other wrongfully convicted individuals. |
| Midwest Innocence Project | Advocacy Partner | Charity | A charitable organization that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, partnering with BCLP in these efforts. |
| Joshua Kezer | Exonerated Individual | Person | A St. Louis resident who was wrongfully convicted and later exonerated for the murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless. |
| Leon Lamb | Indicted Individual | Person | Recently indicted as the former boyfriend of Angela Mischelle Lawless, however, no evidence previously implicating him was found by BCLP's investigation. |