LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- This evening the Innocence Project New Orleans held its annual Stand for Justice Acadiana celebration.

The event highlights the important work the Innocence Project does to help wrongfully convicted inmates. News 10 shares moments from the event, including a special recognition.

The Innocence Project New Orleans is a non profit organization dedicated to freeing innocent people who have been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life in Louisiana. As a way to celebrate and bring awareness to the work LPNO does, their 4th annual Stand for Justice Acadiana celebration allows clients who have been exonerated to share their stories as well as present the justice award to Louisiana state Senator Gerald Boudreaux.

Jee Park, with the Innocence Project says the organization is vital because of the work they do.

"We dedicate a tremendous amount of resources to investigate cases for wrongful convictions, litigation, and to free the men and women who did nothing wrong but spend decades in prison," Park explained.

Barney Holt, formerly incarcerated serving twelve and a half years shares his story and says if it wasn't for the Innocence Project New Orleans, he would not have been able to spend the last few months with his daughter before she died.

"And if it wouldn't have been for IPNO getting me out, you know, 18 months ago, I wouldn't have had the last six months or so of her life with her. And make a few good memories and stuff. I mean, there's just so much that people are missing because they can't get home to their family because of the laws that are in place," said Holt.

Larry Moses, who was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life without parole for a murder he did not commit, served twenty-nine years behind bars and says if it wasn't for the innocence project, he would have died in prison for something he did not do.

"I'd still be in jail. I'd probably be dead, or died in there. And I give all grace and love to all of y'all for all y'all do with the support people like me that are wrongfully convicted or harshly punished," said Moses.

Once stories were shared, Louisiana state Senator Gerald Boudreaux received the 2024 LPNO justice award for his commitment to to justice in Louisiana.

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