OIP and CLJC commemorate Wrongful Conviction Day with Nancy Smith

Nancy Smith (left) and Mark Godsey (right) hope to continue to bring awareness to Smith’s case. Photo by Megan Arnold.

On Tuesday, Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) Director Mark Godsey and OIP exoneree Nancy Smith traveled to Athens to talk about their experiences to commemorate Wrongful Conviction Day, observed on Oct. 2.  

The Innocence Project “works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate and equitable systems of justice for everyone,” according to its website. It advocates for the rights of the accused and aims to free wrongfully convicted persons in Ohio. 

Mark Godsey shared Nancy Smith's story about her trial, her time in prison, and her exoneration. In 1996, Smith, a daycare bus driver, was sentenced to 30-90 years for allegedly kidnapping her bus full of children and bringing them to her boyfriend’s house while they were supposed to be at daycare. Smith was accused by a mother of one of the children.

Smith believed the mother’s goal was to win money in the court case. Smith spent 15 years in prison and in 2009 was freed by Lorain County, Judge D. Chris Cook. She was acquitted after new evidence came out, and her case was taken on by OIP.

Godsey explained that elected officials, including her original attorney, felt pressure from the mother accusing Smith because the mother sought out biased media attention. After Smith took a polygraph test the charges were dropped. However the mother continued to seek public attention, Godsey explained that some public officials did not have the courage to do the right thing and defend Smith fairly. 

Smith clarified that it was an election year for the prosecutor and the judge, so by winning they would be seen as heroes in the case and it would aid their campaign. Despite being told to stop seeking media attention, the mother continued to do so. Leading to Smith being tried again, convicted and being sentenced to 20-90 years.

Smith was asked about her time after being exonerated and her views on the justice system. 

“You’re grown and raised to believe in this justice system,” Smith said. “I can’t believe that these people, who are there to defend you and to protect you, could do this to you.” 

Since her time in prison, Smith developed a distrust for the justice system. Smith did feel as though some faith had been restored back to her through her new attorney, the judge that ruled she be freed, and Mark Godsey. 

Smith shared that being taken to prison was not only traumatic to herself, but also to her family. She explained that she was handcuffed in front of her children and since she was a single mother, her family had to raise her children while she was incarcerated. 

She explained that during her time in prison she felt “a fingertip away” from the outside world.

After serving 15 years, she expressed that she had to learn forgiveness. She currently works as a dog groomer in Amherst and grooms the dogs of a detective on her case. Smith shared they sparked a friendship following his apology. Smith said that the detective told her that he went to his supervisor and said, “there really isn’t anything here (on the case)” and he was told to “just find something.”

Now, Smith and Godsey are grateful that their story is being told. They hope to raise more awareness because, “the more we educate young people, the future leaders, the better we are making our world.”