Jimmie Bass was wrongfully convicted in Cleveland, Mississippi in 1988 for aggravated assault and armed robbery. Mr. Bass was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He was 18 years old when arrested and 36 years old when released – having spent half his life behind bars.

After 2½ years of litigation by IPNO, with the assistance of volunteer co-counsel Mérrida Coxwell, Mr. Bass’ conviction was reversed by the Bolivar County Circuit Court in June 2006. The State spent years appealing the trial court’s decision to no avail. Mr. Bass was finally exonerated in March 2010 when the State dismissed the charges against him.