Dawn's Story

My name is Dawn Ruff-Hickerson inmate 154123.  I am 39 years old and I was sentenced to life in prison without parole.  I have now served 15 years for the murder of my husband.

I am not just another inmate who claims to be innocent.  I am a former Marine; a disabled vet.  During my trial my time in the Marines was used against me.  I am not the one who committed the murder for which I was found guilty.  However, the prosecutor convinced the jury that I could train someone to wield a knife.  Anyone familiar with the way women are trained in the military to use a bayonet knows we don't get any real hands on experience except to stick the center of a fake torso to avoid further engagement.

The prosecutor tried to prove, successfully, that I asked someone to kill him for me.  They used the disgruntled murmurings of an unhappily married woman to show that I was trying to get someone to do it for me; using hearsay to prove their case and it worked.  The jury found me guilty after two and one half hours.

After my trial was complete, the man who did commit the murder of my husband went on trial.  His trial last less than 4 days and he was found guilty in less than 15 minutes.

When he was escorted out by the bailiff after the conviction, he confessed to the bailiff that I was innocent.

When I heard about what my co-defendant confessed to I thought that now they will have no choice but to let me go.  Boy was I mistaken.

I have filed several motions all of which were denied predominately because I had to rely on prison law clerks and could not obtain proof of what I needed.

Eventually, I was able to get in touch with my uncle who is also retired military and with his help I was able to obtain legal counsel in order to find and get affidavits from the bailiff and the person who murdered my husband.  However, no matter how hard my attorney tried, the judge still denied everything we put before him.

Now we are having to not only find another attorney for an appeal, but figure out how to afford one.

It is hard for me to understand that the very system I served to protect is the very one that is keeping an innocent person locked away with no hope of getting out.

I could have been your sister, your mother, your neighbor or a co-worker.  I am currently serving natural life for a murder I did not commit.  The man who murdered my husband has submitted an affidavit confirming my innocence.  An officer of the court has likewise submitted an affidavit attesting to this.  To date my attempts to have my conviction overturned have been futile.  I have spent 15 years in prison.  I have lost my sons and everything I had.

If you know of a lawyer who would be willing to do a pro bono, please contact me.  We are trying to raise money for an appellate attorney.  Please help correct this travesty of justice.