Wrongful Conviction Trauma Center (WCTC)
Wrongful Conviction Trauma Center (WCTC)
“I Went to Bed Innocent. I Woke Up on Death Row.” Marilyn Mulero never imagined that a simple decision—to walk through the wrong neighborhood—would change her life forever. She wasn’t a criminal. She wasn’t a murderer. She was a young mother who trusted the system to find the truth. Instead,…
“You’re Free to Go.” But Are You? The moment of release should be a joyful one. But for many exonerees, it’s just the beginning of another nightmare. For decades, the prison system dictated every moment of their lives. Where they could go. What they could eat. Who they could talk…
“If I Were White, I’d Have Never Been Convicted.” When exonerees share their stories, a painful pattern emerges: Black men wrongfully convicted of murder are exonerated at a rate seven times higher than white men. Hispanic individuals are twice as likely as whites to be falsely convicted of drug crimes.…
“Innocent Until Proven Guilty” Is a Lie The American justice system is built on the idea that a person is innocent until proven guilty. But for the thousands of wrongfully convicted people sitting behind bars, that statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Once the system labels you guilty, proving…
“I Was Sentenced to Die for a Crime I Didn’t Commit.” Wrongful convictions don’t just destroy men’s lives. Women, too, are sentenced to death for crimes they never committed. But their stories are often forgotten. Since 1973, more than 190 people have been exonerated from death row. Only a handful…
“Some States Get It Wrong More Than Others.” Not all states are equal when it comes to justice. Data shows that some states have significantly higher numbers of wrongful convictions and exonerations than others. According to recorded exoneration data since 1989, the following states have the highest number of overturned…
“I Confessed to a Crime I Didn’t Commit. I Had No Choice.” To most people, the idea of falsely confessing to a crime seems unbelievable. Why would anyone admit to something they didn’t do—especially a serious crime like murder or assault? But the truth is, false confessions happen far more…
“They Stole 28 Years of My Life. What Do I Get in Return? Nothing.” Imagine spending decades in prison for a crime you didn’t commit. You lose your job. Your home. Your family. Your reputation. Then, after years of fighting, you’re exonerated. You walk out of prison with nothing. This…
“I Thought This Would Never Happen to Me.” Most people assume wrongful convictions only happen to “other people”—the poor, the uneducated, the unlucky. But wrongful convictions can happen to anyone. So what can you do? *** 1. Educate Yourself & Others Learn about wrongful convictions. Follow cases, read exoneree stories,…
“They Stole My Life. And They Won’t Even Say Sorry.” When an innocent person is freed, we like to believe that they’ll be taken care of. That the state will right the wrong. But in many cases, the government just walks away. Nearly 20 states offer no compensation to wrongfully…
Vice President | Bank Manager, BMO
Berwyn, Illinois
Alma Aviles is a Vice President and Bank Manager with over 32 years of banking experience, including 29 years with BMO U.S. Personal and Business Banking. She joined BMO Bank on April 28, 1997, beginning her career in Lincolnwood, Illinois, and has since built a legacy of leadership rooted in service, integrity, and community partnership.
During the first decade of her BMO career, Alma dedicated herself to branch leadership, serving as Branch Manager at four locations across the Chicago North Region, including the downtown Washington Avenue branch. Since September 2007, she has proudly managed the Berwyn branch, where she continues to live out BMO’s purpose of Boldly Growing the Good in Business and Life.
Alma is deeply engaged in community service and nonprofit leadership. She is a grateful Community Ambassador through United Way and a strong supporter of the Morton 201 Foundation in Cicero. She currently serves as Board Treasurer of the Morton 201 Foundation and as a Board Member of the Berwyn Development Corporation. In addition, Alma volunteers with the Help A Stranger BMO Program, is a member of the Veterans Advisory Council, and actively supports the BMO Latino Alliance.
In recognition of her business leadership and community impact, Alma was honored as a 2023 recipient of the George W. Ashby Award for Business Excellence, presented by the Berwyn Development Corporation on behalf of BMO.
Born in Chicago, Alma grew up in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area, later relocating to Belmont Cragin in 1998, and eventually settling in Berwyn in 2010, where she remains deeply rooted. Outside of work and service, she enjoys church, faith‑based biblical studies, spending time with family and friends, jet skiing, outdoor activities, and participating in local community events.
Alma Aviles is a Vice President and Bank Manager at BMO with 32 years of banking experience, including 29 years with BMO U.S. Personal and Business Banking. She joined BMO in 1997 and has held leadership roles across multiple branches throughout the Chicago region. Since 2007, Alma has proudly served the Berwyn community, leading with a strong commitment to relationship‑based banking, team development, and operational excellence aligned with BMO’s purpose of Boldly Growing the Good in Business and Life.
Alma is deeply engaged in nonprofit leadership and community service. She currently serves as Board Treasurer of the Morton 201 Foundation and as a Board Member of the Berwyn Development Corporation. She is also a United Way Community Ambassador and an active participant in Veterans Advisory Council, and BMO Latino Alliance. In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Alma was honored as a 2023 recipient of the George W. Ashby Award for Business Excellence.
A longtime resident of Berwyn, Alma values faith, family, and community involvement, and enjoys participating in local events and service initiatives.
Christopher Sutherland is a dedicated professional in the pre-settlement funding space, committed to helping individuals maintain financial stability during challenging times. With a strong focus on supporting exonerees, Christopher and his company have funded hundreds of wrongfully convicted individuals, providing critical financial relief as they rebuild their lives.
Passionate about justice and community impact, Christopher is deeply involved in advocacy efforts and takes pride in serving the exoneree community. Beyond his professional work, he is an active community advocate who supports and participates in youth sports, believing in the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and positive development for the next generation.
Driven by a genuine desire to help others, Christopher continues to make a meaningful difference by empowering individuals and strengthening the communities he serves.
Cheryl D. Stovall is a veteran, mediator, and transformational leader whose life journey spans the globe. Growing up as a military dependent, serving in the Army as a military intelligence analyst, and later leading as a federal executive, she has lived and worked around the world — learning firsthand the power of resilience, adaptability, and connection across cultures.
Her federal career included serving as Pacific Region EEO Director in Hawaii and later as EEO Director for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago and serving as Vice Chair on the Chicago Federal Executive Boards Diversity Council, where she became known for turning conflict into collaboration and guiding leaders through high-stakes disputes. Whether in the Pacific, the Midwest, or abroad, she has dedicated her work to helping people thrive in the face of change.
Today, she brings those lessons to the entrepreneurial stage — helping leaders and innovators find their voice, tell their story with confidence, and move in any room by building authentic relationships. Through her keynotes and consulting, she equips audiences with practical tools for conflict resolution, leadership under pressure, and transformation in business and life.
Her story is one of service transformed into impact — and she now inspires others to see their challenges not as barriers, but as the stepping stones to their greatest growth.
Jerry E. Herrington is a motivational speaker, youth mentor, and advocate for justice reform whose story embodies resilience, truth, and transformation.
At just 16 years old, Jerry was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. He spent 29 years behind bars before being released in June 2020, continuing the fight to clear his name. In March 2025, he was fully exonerated—closing a chapter marked by injustice and opening a new mission rooted in purpose, healing, and impact.
During his incarceration, Jerry became more than a survivor—he became a leader, mentor, and voice of accountability and growth for others. He led peer-based mentoring and facilitated discussions focused on emotional intelligence, discipline, and self-responsibility among incarcerated youth.
Today, Jerry channels that experience into powerful keynote speeches and workshops that resonate deeply with young people, educators, and justice advocates. His message challenges systems, restores hope, and equips audiences with the mindset and tools to rise above adversity.
Jerry has spoken at community events, schools, juvenile detention centers, and reentry programs across Illinois. His work focuses on disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, empowering at-risk youth, and helping individuals reclaim their voice and identity.
“I was 16 when they took my life. I was 45 when I walked out. And I was 50 when the world finally admitted I was innocent. I use my voice now to make sure no child’s truth is ever silenced again.”
— Jerry E. Herringto
Anthony Murray is a wrongful conviction survivor who spent 15 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. Since gaining his freedom, he has dedicated his life to rebuilding with purpose and making a meaningful impact in his community.
Anthony currently works in security and holds a Class A Commercial Driver’s License. More importantly, he uses his experience to speak directly to youth, working to reduce violence and inspire better choices in communities that need it most.
He is also a motivational speaker with the Illinois Innocence Project, where he shares his story to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and the importance of justice reform.
Driven by a passion to address the root causes of violence, Anthony is currently pursuing certification as a drug and alcohol counselor, recognizing the significant role substance abuse plays in many of today’s challenges.
Through resilience, purpose, and a commitment to change, Anthony Murray continues to turn his past into a platform for hope, education, and transformation.
Jimmy Lee Barrett is a dedicated advocate, mentor, and community leader with over 26 years of experience working with both youth and adults. Through mentorship, coaching, and hands-on guidance, he has helped individuals navigate life challenges while encouraging growth, accountability, and purpose.
With a background in barbering and continuing education, Barrett has used his trade as a platform to connect with others, offering not only technical training but also life skills and support. He is also active in ministry, providing spiritual encouragement and guidance within the community.
As Vice President of the Wrongful Conviction Trauma Center, Barrett contributes to outreach, advocacy, and support initiatives focused on individuals and families impacted by wrongful convictions. His work is centered on helping others move forward with strength, dignity, and renewed direction.