Into the Light: A Story of Injustice and Redemption

My Upcoming Conversation with Ben Spencer and Barb Hagerty

Courtesy of the Weidenbaum Center

Ben Spencer spent 34 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. He was released from prison in 2021 and finally exonerated just three months ago. In a few weeks, Ben will join me in St. Louis to talk about his story alongside journalist and author Barbara Bradley Hagerty.

In 1987, a Texas jury found Ben guilty of killing a white businessman and sentenced him to life in prison. His conviction and appeals were marked by racial bias, false testimony, and an overburdened justice system. Always maintaining his innocence, Ben spent the next three decades insisting on his innocence and fighting for his exoneration.

Barb documents Ben’s story in her recently released book, Bringing Ben Home: A Murder, a Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice. As Barb notes: “Ben’s experience mirrors that of thousands of innocent men and women in prison. It boils down to this settled fact: Convicting an innocent person is easy; undoing the mistake is almost impossible.”

But Ben’s story is not simply about the immense problems of the American criminal justice system. It is also a story about hope and resilience. It is a story about how Ben’s Christian faith sustained him. And it is a testimony to the power of a small group of people who never gave up on him.

As I’ve come to know Barb, I’ve also learned that her commitment to Ben’s story has become far more than a journalistic assignment—her years of work to uncover and share the truth of his story has subsequently shaped much of her own life.

I should also add that Barb’s book is a compelling read. I rarely come across books that I can’t put down, but this is one of them—John Grisham calls it “simply unforgettable.” Barb’s methodical research and engaging writing effectively weaves Ben’s story within a broader critique of our criminal justice system.

Ben and Barb will be in St. Louis on Monday, November 18th, to share their inspiring journeys. They’ll join me for a lunchtime event at WashU Law and an evening event at One Family Church. You can learn more about both events here. (Please note that we are requesting RSVPs for the evening event.)

Many thanks the Legal Vocation Fellowship, the Weidenbaum Center, WashU Law's Public Interest Law & Policy Speaker Series, The Carver Project, and One Family Church for partnering on this event.