Exonerated, Innocent and Homeless

Maurice Anthwone Caldwell was born and raised in San Francisco, California. In 1989, a drug-related murder occurred in the San Francisco housing project where he lived.  That day, Maurice became a secondary victim of the murderer, as he was arrested and tried for the crime he did not commit.  Due to false and coerced witness testimony, the court convicted him and sentenced him to “27 years to life” in state prison, where he spent the next twenty years.

While the fear of never coming home was overwhelming, Maurice maintained his innocence as he survived the dangers of penitentiary life.  He spent countless hours in the legal library. After years of writing letters and reaching out, Maurice finally made contact with an investigator who believed in his innocence. This led to more witnesses who testified on Maurice’s behalf and exposed the real killer.  Ultimately, the Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP) became involved, blessing Maurice with a team of law students who worked full time on his case.  Together they fought for Maurice and regained his freedom. After serving 20 years, 6 months and 7 days in prison, the San Francisco District Attorney dismissed the case and Caldwell was finally released on March 28, 2011.

Despite the blessings of freedom, upon his release, like most California exonerees, he had no job, no money, no home and no help reintegrating into society.  However, Maurice persevered and for the last 8 years, he was able to gain employment and receive housing assistance for the last year and a half from Exonerated Nation, a non-profit based in Oakland that serves California exonerees.  Unfortunately, housing assistance has now run out and due to a physical disability resulting from two decades in prison, he has been unable to maintain steady employment and is on the brink of homelessness, as of June 1, 2019. Like the vast majority of exonerees, Maurice has not been compensated for his wrongful conviction and continues the legal battles to seek compensation.

Maurice with his children


Maurice Gives Back
Despite the injustice of his wrongful conviction, through speaking engagements and advocacy activities with California State Senators, Maurice is working on behalf of Exonerated Nation to build awareness to advocate for essential resources for exonerees. Maurice has committed his life to speaking out against wrongful convictions and their subsequent incarcerations.  He brings great awareness to the issues that cause injustice within the legal system. He works to educate society on the needs of exonorees, as they transition into life beyond freedom. He knows first-hand that there are little to no resources or compensation for exonerees after they regain their freedom.   


If you want to learn more about Maurice’s incredible story of tragedy and redemption, click on this this video and article:

Video:           https://vimeo.com/38531584

LA Times:   https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-wrongful-convicted-restitution-victims-compensation-20190523-story.html


Maurice can never get back the 20+ years he spent wrongfully incarcerated by the State, however your support can help provide him with housing assistance and peace of mind to help rebuild the life that was taken from him.
The funds raised on this campaign will go directly to Maurice Caldwell for the purpose of securing safe and stable housing by the end of this month.  Thankfully, he will begin receiving SSA, beginning in June, however, he is in desperate need for funds to support his transition into an apartment for a minimum of 6 months. 

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.