Advocate Bikers Aim to Draw Attention to Those Wrongfully Convicted

The Bikers for Justice pose on the steps of the Luzerne County Courthouse in honor of Wrongful Conviction Awareness Day

Bikers observe Wrongful Conviction Day

Bike for justice

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Motorcyclists rode together to the Luzerne County Courthouse in honor of Oct. 2 being Wrongful Conviction Day in hopes of bringing awareness to the issue facing some in Pennsylvania.

Powerful testimony from three men wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit underscored the mission highlighted by Pennsylvania Bikers for Justice: The men and women victimized by wrongful conviction deserve help, and they deserve better.

Organizers tells that Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not compensate victims of wrongful convictions. And groups like Bikers For Justice want legislators to change that.

“We’re trying to convince them of the need for a bill that would provide some kind of compensation for these victims so they can rebuild their lives after being wrongfully imprisoned,” said Bill Ayres, Bikers for Justice President.

“Our mission is to help the victims of these injustices,” said Ayers, turn, is made up of several regional chapters of the organization, many represented both in-person and watching online. “Wrongful conviction is something that’s just not talked about enough, one day is not nearly enough.”

After brief introductory remarks, Ayers turned the microphone over to his three guests: Jeffrey Deskovic, Larry Trent Roberts, and Tremaine Hicks, each with their own story about having their lives come to a grinding halt when convicted of crimes they didn’t commit.

Engines roar Wrongful Conviction Awareness Rally

The event was ended by Ayers, who again called on listeners to call their local legislators and demand action so that victims like Deskovic, Roberts, and Hicks are left with nothing because of something they didn’t do.

Deskovic expressed optimism that the fight led by Bikers of Justice and other advocacy groups would see meaningful change, with the togetherness of the groups being key to the fight.

“The era of going at it alone is over with,” he said. “We’re not going to quit, we’re not going to give up, we’re going to work together and we’re going to do it.”

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