Vernon T. Bateman was falsely convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1998 at the age of 18. Released on parole in 2023, he still isn't free. He lives in constant fear of re-arrest and harassment and with unduly restrictive parole terms. Please help fund the legal fees necessary to get our beloved community member free! More About Vernon: Vernon T. Bateman is an art-ivist—an artist and an activist—who was first exposed to art by his grandfather, Bill Franklyn. While growing up in Gary, Indiana, Vernon watched his grandfather make ends meet through art: he was a painter, poet, a framer, and more. Vernon specializes in acrylic painting but works in ceramics, participatory art, drawing, illustrating, and writing. The subject matter of his art varies but most of them teach about history, culture, spirituality, and the resilience of humanity. This is evident in the five children's books he wrote, illustrated, and published, the latest being If Bullets Could Cry. Vernon didn't learn to read and write as a child. They didn't teach him literacy in school. He learned from fellow inmates in prison after he was falsely convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1998 at the age of 18. Despite any formal training or even a high school diploma, Vernon regularly speaks and lectures at various institutions, including DePauw University, one of the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. His work has been exhibited at Indiana Landmarks, Dream Palace Books and Coffee, and elsewhere. In January 2025, he held his first international exhibit—which featured his children’s book, Hoperah Winfree—in Tokyo, Japan. Vernon wasn't able to attend the exhibit, as his unduly restrictive and unconstitutional parole stipulations prevent him from being free to this day, despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence. Vernon is not yet exonerated. But he has a growing community of suport, including Congressman André Carson, who wrote a letter “regarding Mr. Vernon T. Bateman” and acknowledged Mr. Bateman’s “ability to work and make positive contributions to our community.” You can help Vernon in his struggle for his freedom--and all of our freedom--by making a donation here. Every cent of every donation received will go directly to Vernon to help him survive and get exonerated. If we all come together now, we can make it happen sooner rather than later.

Vernon T. Bateman was falsely convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1998 at the age of 18. Released on parole in 2023, he still isn't free. He lives in constant fear of re-arrest and harassment and with unduly restrictive parole terms. Please help fund the legal fees necessary to get our beloved community member free! More About Vernon: Vernon T. Bateman is an art-ivist—an artist and an activist—who was first exposed to art by his grandfather, Bill Franklyn. While growing up in Gary, Indiana, Vernon watched his grandfather make ends meet through art: he was a painter, poet, a framer, and more. Vernon specializes in acrylic painting but works in ceramics, participatory art, drawing, illustrating, and writing. The subject matter of his art varies but most of them teach about history, culture, spirituality, and the resilience of humanity. This is evident in the five children's books he wrote, illustrated, and published, the latest being If Bullets Could Cry. Vernon didn't learn to read and write as a child. They didn't teach him literacy in school. He learned from fellow inmates in prison after he was falsely convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1998 at the age of 18. Despite any formal training or even a high school diploma, Vernon regularly speaks and lectures at various institutions, including DePauw University, one of the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. His work has been exhibited at Indiana Landmarks, Dream Palace Books and Coffee, and elsewhere. In January 2025, he held his first international exhibit—which featured his children’s book, Hoperah Winfree—in Tokyo, Japan. Vernon wasn't able to attend the exhibit, as his unduly restrictive and unconstitutional parole stipulations prevent him from being free to this day, despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence. Vernon is not yet exonerated. But he has a growing community of suport, including Congressman André Carson, who wrote a letter “regarding Mr. Vernon T. Bateman” and acknowledged Mr. Bateman’s “ability to work and make positive contributions to our community.” You can help Vernon in his struggle for his freedom--and all of our freedom--by making a donation here. Every cent of every donation received will go directly to Vernon to help him survive and get exonerated. If we all come together now, we can make it happen sooner rather than later.

Indianapolis Liberation Center Inc

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