Date: 9/24/2015
Time: 7:00 PM

900 Cutler St
Grand Haven, MI 49417

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Event Description: Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton, co-authors of the New York Times best-seller “Picking Cotton” are coming to Grand Haven for a community event, it was announced today by Doug Tjapkes, President of Humanity for Prisoners. Jennifer was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment when she was a college student. After she escaped she told police she was certain she could identify the man who had been inches from her face. She picked Ronald Cotton out a police lineup. Even though he claimed she was mistaken, her positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After serving 11 years for a crime he did not commit, he was freed by DNA testing. Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face to face, and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. While participating in an eyewitness seminar focusing on the Maurice Carter case many years ago, Ms. Thompson and Doug met and became friends. HFP is presenting this fundraiser for two reasons: to offer a glimpse into what happens when the system fails both the victim and the accused; and to demonstrate the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness. The program will be presented Thursday, September 24, 7 PM, in the auditorium of Lakeshore Middle School in Grand Haven. Advance tickets are $25 or $15 for students, and can be purchased starting June 8 at www.humanityforprisoners.org or at The Bookman. Tickets at the door will be $30.00. For more information contact: Matt Tjapkes Humanity for Prisoners 616.935.0075 matt@humanityforprisoners.org


Directions:
Lakeshore Middle School Auditorium 900 Cutler St, Grand Haven

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