[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 70 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H4585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    JUSTICE FOR THOMAS RAYNARD JAMES

  (Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the 
recent freedom of Thomas Raynard James and the crucial work of his 
attorney, Natalie Figgers.
  One of the most paramount pillars of our legal system is the concept 
that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. But how does the system 
react when even those who are innocent are deemed guilty? This 
Wednesday, the Nation was able to witness the legal system right one of 
these wrongs.
  Thomas Raynard James was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced 
to life due to a case of mistaken identity in 1991. His preliminary 
conviction was based on an eyewitness account.
  Three decades later, this wrongful conviction has been overturned 
based on revised testimony, new evidence, and lack of physical 
evidence. Due to persistence and faith in the legal system, Ms. Figgers 
succeeded in freeing Mr. James, who was an innocent man.
  We applaud the work of his attorneys and all the leaders who 
continuously fight the good fight for justice to make sure that 
everyone has a chance at justice.

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