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.
“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.
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.
“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.”
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.
Benson’s monograph also launched Friday.
His book is available at all major retailers.
Indianapolis, IN
IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.
The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.
People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.
Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.
According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.
Indianapolis, IN
Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”
For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.
This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.
“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”
The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.
Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.
“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”
The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.
The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis, IN
Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records
EUGENE – Former Oregon Duck and current defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner, is rising in the record books. The former Duck has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, and his impact on the Colts has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Buckner is just one sack away from breaking Ellis Johnson’s franchise record for most sacks in Colt history with 32.5 Sacks. While Johnson’s tenure with the Colts lasted seven seasons, Buckner is on track to beat this record in just his fifth year with the Colts.
His impact extends far beyond sacks. Buckner has already solidified his position as the Colts’ all-time leader in quarterback hits for defensive tackles with 87 total quarterback hits. Buckner is also on the cusp of claiming the crown for passes defended by a defensive lineman with 16 passes defended, third among Colts defensive linemen.
The defensive tackle’s ability to disrupt plays is evident in his tackles for loss. Buckner’s 42 tackles for loss places him fifth on the Colts’ all-time list. This season, Buckner has the chance to move to third in Tackles For Loss for the Colts behind Freeney and Mathis, passing Chad Bratzke and Raheem Brock with 4 more in the 2024 season. Buckner’s 281 total tackles and 166 solo tackles rank him third among Colts defensive tackles.
While Buckner’s achievements are more than impressive, it is important to note that sacks did not officially start being counted until 1982, nearly 30 years after the Colts became a franchise in 1953. Colts legends such as Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb, and John Dutton played before sacks became an officially recorded statistic. Nonetheless, Buckner’s impact in the modern era is undeniable. His ability to command double teams creates opportunities for teammates to make plays is invaluable.
Buckner’s journey to the NFL began at the University of Oregon, where he played from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, Buckner was recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 83 while also earning recognition as the team’s defensive Most Outstanding Player. Buckner was also awarded the prestigious Morris Trophy, an award voted on by opposing Pac-12 linemen.
As Buckner continues his Colts career, the possibility of breaking more franchise records is large. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Buckner is solidifying his status as one of the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history.
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