Conyers in Dallas for panel on wrongful convictions

US House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers will be in Big D on Saturday (okay, really in Lancaster south of Dallas) to participate in a panel discussion about wrongful convictions and DNA exonerations. Here's the text of a press release I received today promoting the event, which is hosted by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson:

CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON TO HOLD PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND DNA EXONERATIONS SATURDAY

Press Conference Will Immediately Precede Event

Washington, D.C. – (July 17, 2008) Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson will hold panel discussions on wrongful convictions and DNA exonerations this Saturday, July 19. The event will consist of two discussion panels, one featuring three Texas exonerees and one featuring Michigan Congressman John Conyers, state Senator Rodney Ellis, District Attorney Craig Watkins and Jeff Blackburn of the Innocence Project of Texas. The discussions will be moderated by Judge John Creuzot.

Texas has more wrongful convictions proven by DNA evidence than any other state in the country, and of the 32 in the state, 19 were overturned in Dallas County.

A press conference will immediately precede the first discussion.

What: Panel Discussion: Wrongful Convictions and DNA Exonerations

Date: Saturday, July 19

Time: 4:00 – 4:15 PM – Press Conference

4:15 – 5:00 PM – Panel One – Discussion featuring Michigan Congressman John Conyers, state Senator Rodney Ellis, District Attorney Craig Watkins and Jeff Blackburn of the Innocence Project of Texas

5:00 – 6:00 PM – Panel Two – Discussion featuring Dallas exonerees James Woodard, Charles Chatman, and Billy Smith.

Location: Cedar Valley College Performance Hall, 3030 North Dallas Ave., Lancaster, TX 75134

NOTE: The press conference will be held in the adjacent gallery space. To RSVP, please e-mail phoebe.silag@mail.house.gov or call (202) 225-8885.