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Justice for James Richardson

James Richardson was wrongfully convicted of a drive-by double murder and sentenced to two life sentences without parole, sparking a fight for justice and highlighting various ways to help those in similar situations.

Learn More about the case

Justice for James Richardson

Learn More about the case

Key Facts the Jury Never Heard

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The white BMW had multiple occupants —not a lone driver/shooter, as the prosecution argued.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

Witnesses said the shooter was a tall, dark-skinned man — James is light-skinned.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The prosecution’s key piece of evidence—surveillance footage it claimed showed a single person in the white BMW—had been manipulated by the police.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

Why James Was Wrongfully Convicted

A combination of systemic failures and racial injustice led to James Richardson’s wrongful conviction.

Police Misconduct

Investigators ignored exculpatory witnesses, withheld surveillance footage and key forensic evidence, and failed to preserve critical evidence, sabotaging the chance to identify the real shooter and instead directing the investigation toward an innocent man.

Prosecutorial Misconduct

The prosecution presented manipulated digital images and knowingly introduced false testimony to secure a conviction, while concealing evidence that contradicted their narrative and supported James’ innocence.

Junk Science & False Testimony

The state’s case leaned on speculative, unscientific claims—such as implausible shooting angles—and unvetted testimony from a last-minute witness who later admitted he hadn’t seen the shooter and was unsure why he testified at all.

Racial Bias in the Courtroom

From the jury’s racially charged deliberations to the court's dismissal of concerns from the sole Black male juror, racial bias tainted the trial proceedings and undermined the fairness of the judicial process.

Racial Animus During Jury Deliberations

The only Black male juror did not believe James was guilty, and faced racial intimidation and aggression when he refused to convict. The juror begged to be removed from the jury, but the judge refused. The juror ultimately gave in despite his own personal convictions and voted to convict—but immediately submitted an affidavit detailing the coercion and racial animus in hopes of bringing the truth to light.

Eyewitness/Cross-Racial misidentification

Not a single eyewitness identified James Richardson as the shooter in three separate lineups. Descriptions of the shooter’s appearance and clothing varied widely, but did not match James. Despite the dangers of unreliable eyewitness and cross-racial identifications, the trial judge refused to allow a defense expert to testify about misidentifications.

Fabricated and Tainted Evidence

Key video evidence was digitally altered to falsely depict James as the sole occupant of the white BMW, while original photos later revealed multiple individuals—none resembling James—matching other witness descriptions and suspect lineups.

Confidential "Informant"

Police relied on a self-interested statement from a known informant and homicide suspect who implicated James to escape drug charges and remove himself as a person of interest, shifting the investigation away from credible leads.

Justice for James Richardson

Justice for James Richardson

Who is James Richardson?

The Case

Key Facts the Jury Never Heard

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The white BMW had multiple occupants —not a lone driver/shooter, as the prosecution argued.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

Witnesses said the shooter was a tall, dark-skinned man — James is light-skinned.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The prosecution’s key piece of evidence—surveillance footage it claimed showed a single person in the white BMW—had been manipulated by the police.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

Why James Was Wrongfully Convicted

James Richardson has always maintained his innocence.

James deserves justice. Our system must do better.

Write to Pitt County Decisionmakers

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Support James' Fight for Justice

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Support James' Fight for Justice

Justice for James Richardson

Justice for James Richardson

Who is James Richardson?

The Case

Key Facts the Jury Never Heard

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The white BMW had multiple occupants —not a lone driver/shooter, as the prosecution argued.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

James was never identified in any police lineup as the shooter or as a passenger in the BMW.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

Witnesses said the shooter was a tall, dark-skinned man — James is light-skinned.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The shooter was seen hanging out of the back-passenger window, not sitting in the driver’s seat and firing out the front-passenger window.

The prosecution’s key piece of evidence—surveillance footage it claimed showed a single person in the white BMW—had been manipulated by the police.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

The prosecution’s key witness—who emerged six days before trial as the only witness to name James Richardson as the shooter—repudiated his testimony after trial.

Why James Was Wrongfully Convicted

James Richardson has always maintained his innocence.

James deserves justice. Our system must do better.

Write to Pitt County Decisionmakers

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Support James' Fight for Justice

Sign and Share James' Change.org Petition.

Support James' Fight for Justice

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