Rick and Myrtle Walker

On December 10, 1991, Rick Walker was convicted of the first degree murder of Lisa Hopewell, his ex-girlfriend. He was sentenced to twenty-six years to life. His conviction was based on the perjured testimony of two witnesses, Rahsson Bowers and Sarah Dunbar, both of whom gained favor in exchange for their testimony. Rahsson Bowers, Lisa Hopewell's killer, testified that he was present when Hopewell was killed but that Rick Walker did the killing. Sarah Dunbar, who was in a motel room with Rick Walker at the time Hopewell was killed, at trial, denied that she was with him. Bowers and Dunbar had both cut a deal with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony, a fact prosecutors hid from the defense.

Through the diligent efforts of law student Allison Tucher, the investigation into Rick's case continued for years after his conviction. By the time of his release on June 20, 2003, five witnesses had been found who said it was another man, not Walker, who accompanied Bowers to Hopewell's home the night she was killed. Under pressure from Allison Tucher, who by now was a practicing lawyer, physical evidence found at the scene was tested and the identity of the man named by the witnesses was confirmed.

Rick Walker served 12 years in prison before his release.