Indianapolis, IN
One year after exoneration: Leon Benson returns to Indianapolis for 'Rebirth Celebration'
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s an incredible story we first brought to you a year ago.
Leon Benson was exonerated from prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder more than 26-years-ago. On Friday, he returned to Indianapolis for a “Rebirth Celebration.”
“I feel so blessed after coming out of this. I could almost cry tears of joy, I’m trying to save them,” said Benson.
Benson was filled with emotion ahead of Friday’s “Rebirth Celebration” at the Indianapolis Liberation Center.
WRTV
“I was in the womb of prison for 25 years, so I was rebirthed. To come back here and to see this, I really feel a deep sense of home,” he said.
On March 9, 2023, Benson became the first person exonerated with the help of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office Conviction Integrity unit.
Benson’s first-degree murder conviction was vacated by a Marion County judge after a joint re-investigation by the University of San Francisco School of Law Racial Justice Clinic (USFCA) and the Conviction Integrity Unit.
“This is an anniversary. I was liberated, exonerated. Exempt. This is restorative justice,” said Benson.
WRTV
At just 22-years-old, Benson was wrongfully convicted for the 1998 murder of Kasey Shoen, who was shot five times while in his car in the 1300 block of North Pennsylvania Avenue.
According to the USFCA, the case against Benson rested on a cross-racial identification made in the near darkness from 150 feet by a frightened white newspaper carrier and the equally questionable identification by a man from the neighborhood with a history of mental illness and who held a grudge against Benson.
PREVIOUS | Man released from prison 25 years after murder for wrongful conviction (wrtv.com)
“A voice came to me and said ‘Leon, Kasey Schoen is gone, his family don’t have him. I know you’re innocent, but you are becoming selfish right now in your own pain. You got a chance even though you in the lowest part of the prison,’” Benson said Friday.
10 of Benson’s nearly 25 years in prison were spent in solitary confinement, but even as he talked about his time behind bars on Friday, Benson was anything but bitter.
WRTV
“You can’t be bitter if you’re grateful, they just don’t co-exist,” he said.
This message fills the pages of his new book launched at Friday’s celebration Letters of Gratitude: I Am Because We Are” (Iskra Books, 2024).
“I wrote the letters of gratitude three months before I got out,” Benson said. “I had to put that in a book to let people know that I acknowledge you. That I didn’t do that alone.”
Benson says he’s grateful, for so many that stood by his side — his sister, children, his mentors behind bars, and Kasey’s sister, Kolleen Schoen-Bunch, who still supported Benson through her own family’s pain.
“It’s getting justice for Kasey so he can rest in peace because he hasn’t for 25 years since the wrong person was charged,” said Schoen-Bunch. “We just want justice for everyone. We can’t give back to Leon what was taken from him, but we can try to make his life better.”
wrtv
A better life now with a bigger mission.
“I would be less than who I am if I didn’t come put a light on it and represent those people who are still out there. Those brothers that are behind walls, that’s yelling out, that’s not being heard, who has been invisible. I’m no longer invisible. My chain is gone,” said Benson.
Friday’s celebration also included a panel with Benson and others, including Schoen-Bunch; Kelly Bauder of the CIU; family members of the incarcerated; Benson’s daughter, Kelly Bluitt; along with academics, lawyers, and community organizers involved in his case.
WRTV
Benson’s monograph also launched Friday.
His book is available at all major retailers.
Indianapolis, IN
How to Watch 2026 Indianapolis SX, Talladega GNCC, and MXGP of Argentina Live on TV – Racer X
The ninth round of the 2026 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship will take place on Saturday, March 7, as Lucas Oil Stadium hosts the Indianapolis Supercross. This will be the third round of the 250SX East Division championship and will be our second Triple Crown event of the ’26 season.
Check out how to watch the Indianapolis SX below, plus check out the full race day schedule, the entry lists, injury report, track maps, AMA national numbers refresher, live timing link, and anything and everything else you need to know for Indianapolis for Saturday.
What you need to know the most for the Indianapolis SX: the Triple Crown races begin just after 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific.
On Saturday, qualifying can still be seen on Race Day Live beginning at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT on Peacock. The Race Day Live broadcast will end with the two last chance qualifier races to determine the gate picks for the main program/night show Triple Crown races.
The SMX Video pass broadcast—which is available only outside of the United States—will start at the same time. Once again, there are Spanish and French broadcasts as a part of the 2026 SMX Video Pass this year, just as they were last year.
Viewers can also listen to audio from the full night show broadcast each and every weekend of SMX in its entirety on SiriusXM Radio (with Indianapolis also starting at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific).
The Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series is back in action this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. The Talladega GNCC will have both Saturday’s pro ATVs (2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST) and Sunday’s pro bikes (1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST) broadcasted live by the RacerTV crew.
And the FIM Motocross World Championship (MXGP) kicks off this weekend with the MXGP of Argentina on Saturday (qualifying) and Sunday (points-paying motos). You can watch the action live on both days on MXGP-TV.com or catch the delayed broadcast of the second motos on CBS Sports (might want to DVR this with the late night time!).
Indianapolis, IN
Chase Sexton out for at least another round, Indianapolis Supercross, with practice injuries
Chase Sexton will miss at least one more round of the SuperMotocross World Championship to heal from injuries suffered in practice prior to the Daytona Supercross, the Kawasaki Racing team announced on social media. He will miss Round 9 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sexton got off to a disappointing start with his new team, finishing eighth in the season-opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. He rallied to finish fourth the following week in San Diego after coming out of the gates slowly, and then won his first race with the team in the second Anaheim event.
With a forthcoming off-week following the Indianapolis Supercross, Drew Adams could return in time for the East / West Showdown in Birmingham.
Since then, his best finish has been fifth, which he scored in the Houston Triple Crown event and in Seattle.
After missing Daytona, Sexton is fifth in the championship standings, tied with Justin Cooper at 49 points behind the leader, Hunter Lawrence.
An off-week follows the Indianapolis Supercross, giving Sexton additional time to heal.
Dylan Ferrandis hurt his thumb in a Daytona heat race, but an MRI reveals there are no broken bones.
Indianapolis, IN
Find your furry friend at Lucky Tails Adoption Event in Indianapolis, all fees waived
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Feeling lonely and in need of a friend?
Check out Lucky Tails Adoption Event on Saturday, March 14, hosted by Indianapolis Animal Care Services. All fees will be waived and every pet available has been microchipped, spayed or neutered, and is up to date on vaccinations.
To make the transition even easier for you and your new companion, each new parent will receive a goody bag of necessities. There will be adoption counselors at the event to help you with any questions and to help you find a pet that best fits your lifestyle.
Last month, 59 animals found new homes during IACS’ Valentine’s Day Adoption event. The shelter hopes more animals can strike gold and find their forever home at this month’s event. “Our goal is to make as many matches as possible between our animals and the people who are meant to love them,” said IACS Director, Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle.
The vent will be held at the shelter located at 2600 South Harding Street. IACS also has four upcoming weekend “Pop-Up” adoption events around the city:
- March 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 9749 East Washington Street.
- March 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 7801 US 31 South.
- April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. at Puppy Playground, 7224 Rockville Road.
- April 18 from noon to 3 p.m. at City Dogs Grocery, 1028 Virginia Avenue.
View adoptable pets here.
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