Innocent On Death Row: "Free Rob Will" Opens 13 Aug

NEW YORK - Aug. 5, 2019 - PRLog -- Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom × The Vanderbilt Republic invite you to experience Innocent on Death Row / Free Rob Will: a curated encounter with never-before-seen paintings and drawings by Robert Gene Will (wrongfully convicted, Texas 999402) alongside a program of live podcast recordings and criminal justice reform programming. This suite of heart-shaking encounters happens 13-23 August 2019 at The Bellewether in The Blue Building (222 East 46^th Street 10017). Lava Media founder/CEO + Wrongful Conviction podcast host Jason Flom and Vanderbilt Republic creative director × executive producer George Del Barrio will lead a wide-reaching group of criminal justice reformers and media stalwarts.

This production is designed to raise funding for and awareness to inspire the liberation of Robert Gene Will, who endures solitary confinement (23 hours per day in a 6' x 10' cell without access to internet or television) and awaits the death sentence. This self-taught painter, whose technique involves crushing colored pencils with his hands and then melting wax to make paint, was wrongfully convicted of shooting and killing a police officer in Harris County, Texas in 2000. In October 2018, when a Texas federal judge denied relief to Rob, District Court Judge Keith Ellison stated he "almost certainly would have granted" a new trial to Rob. Only amendments made to federal habeas corpus law in the 1990s prevented Judge Ellison from addressing "the troubling possibility of [Rob]'s actual innocence." These injustices that confront the wrongfully convicted pre- and post-incarceration will be touched on during podcast interviews hosted by Jason Flom at The Bellewether's Blue Gallery. With curation × lighting/technical design by George Del Barrio, a comprehensive exhibition of Mr. Will's paintings and drawings will be available for view daily 11a-7p. All artworks are available for purchase.

Jason Flom shared, "Research shows us that approximately 10% of men and women on death row are innocent. Rob Will is one of them." Mr. Flom continued, "Rob's case is as troubling as he is extraordinary. Seeing him and learning about his work firsthand are what gave me the idea to host this exhibition." Internationally known philosopher, shaman, and exhibition opening keynote speaker Damien Echols stated, "What keeps innocent people in prison or on death row going, and prevents them from drowning in despair, is knowing that people out here in the land of the living still remember them and their plight, which is a powerful reason why events like this are so important."

Innocent on Death Row / Free Rob Will will hold a special media preview (by invitation only) 12 August 2019 from 11a-5p and opens 13 August 2019 from 6-9p with keynote and guided meditation by Damien Echols at 7:30p. The installation will be open to the public daily 13-23 August 2019 from 11a-7p, with Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom podcast recordings 14 & 21 August, 12.30-1.30p. Additional criminal justice reform programming will run throughout the exhibition. For full program details, please visit vanderbiltrepublic.com.

ABOUT THE VANDERBILT REPUBLIC
The Vanderbilt Republic (VR, est. 2008) is a production consultancy formed to catalyze advanced creative in all modes. Born in Brooklyn, VR knows archetype expansion and radical humanity to be forces for generative social reform. Through our work with pioneering artists, institutions, producers and brands, the agency offers bespoke solutions in immersive creative production, design & direction with innovative projection methodologies and best-in-class photo/film production. George Del Barrio is VR's Creative Director × Executive Producer — vanderbiltrepublic.com

ABOUT JASON FLOM
Jason Flom is the Founder and CEO of Lava Records, Lava Music Publishing, and Lava Media, LLC. Flom previously served as Chairman and CEO at Atlantic Records, Virgin Records, and Capitol Music Group, and he is personally responsible for launching acts such as Katy Perry, Kid Rock, Lorde, and Greta Van Fleet. He is a leading philanthropist, expert on criminal justice issues, an internationally recognized, and a celebrated public speaker. Flom is the founding board member of the Innocence Project and serves on the boards of numerous criminal justice reform organizations. He is the host of the hit podcast, Wrongful Conviction — lavarecords.com

ABOUT WRONGFUL CONVICTION
Wrongful Conviction with Jason Flom is a podcast about tragedy, triumph, unequal justice, and actual innocence.  Based on the files of the attorneys who freed them, Wrongful Conviction features interviews with men and women who have spent decades in prison for crimes they did not commit – some of them had even been sentenced to death. This hit podcast is in its seventh season — wrongfulconvictionpodcast.com