People we’ve helped free & exonerate

Thomas Clardy served almost 20 years, convicted of a triple shooting at an auto body shop in Madison, Tennessee, a crime he did not commit. On September 15, 2026, Thomas walked out of prison a free man, after Governor Bill Lee commuted his sentence. Thomas grew up in North Nashville, a football player who became a star running back for the Pearl-Cohn Firebirds and helped clinch the 1997 state championship. Coaches still talk about #22, not just for his speed, but because he always doubled back to lift a fallen teammate off the turf. He has two sons. Thomas Jr. was just weeks old when his father was arrested. Jamari, now 25, grew up on scratchy prison phone calls instead of bedtime stories. Thomas served 17 years in prison before a federal District Court overturned his conviction in 2023. He walked out of Riverbend Maximum Security and spent 22 months trying to rebuild what had been taken, coaching middle school students, volunteering at food drives, showing up for his church, his community, and his family. Then Thomas heard the unthinkable. Another court reinstated the conviction and he was sent back to prison.  Thomas was back at Riverbend, for just over…

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