TU's OIP chapter hosts Robert McClendon

Wednesday evening, Tiffin University's chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project hosted Robert McClendon. McClendon spent 17 years in prison after he was wrongfully charged and convicted of kidnapping and raping his 10-year-old daughter. The girl's testimony and state alleging he failed a polygraph were the main pieces of evidence used against him. "There is nothing more devastating than having a 10-year-old child point their finger at you and claim you did something you did not do," McClendon said. While in the hospital, the victim was asked to identify her attacker. She told law enforcement that she believed the attacker was her dad and added that she could have been wrong as her eyes were covered a lot. McClendon's daughter had only seen him one time in her life before the assault happened. His defense team provided witnesses who said he was driving around with a friend at the time the crime was committed. In 1990, a Franklin County judge found him guilty of kidnapping and rape, sentencing him to 15 years – life in prison. McClendon maintained his innocence; however, courts denied him his right to a DNA test three times. "You have to fight for your case," McClendon said. "So I decided to fight for my case." While in prison, McClendon said he earned his GED. He worked in the recreation department in the prison and challenged fellow inmates to play basketball against him. The challenge was if McClendon won, the other inmates would have to take their GED tests. By doing this, McClendon was able to help 21 men earn their GEDs. In 2007 and 2008, The Ohio Innocence Project got involved after the organization worked closely with reporters from the Columbus Dispatch to evaluate cases in which the defendant was wrongly convicted and denied DNA testing. In April 2008, after an Ohio lab discovered the victim's underwear was preserved, although the rape kit from the initial investigation was destroyed, they tested DNA from the underwear and found that it did not match McClendon's DNA. He was freed on August 12, 2008, after serving nearly 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. By telling his story, McClendon said he wants people to realize that what happened to him, could happen to anyone. "We are thrilled to have Robert on our campus and honored that he is willing to share his story with our students and the Tiffin community," said Steven Hurwitz, professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice at Tiffin University and the faculty advisor for TU's undergraduate chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project. "It is important that people hear Robert's story and learn how wrongful convictions happen." Ohio Innocence Project has freed 36 Ohioans who served over 700 years for crimes they did not commit in the 9 years since its foundation. This makes it one of the top-performing members of the international Innocence Network. OIP continues to devote itself to freeing people who are imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. It is the only Ohio-based nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing innocent persons, as well as educating the public on the flaws of our legal system and the societal issues that lead to such injustices. In addition, OIP advocates for legislation that reforms the criminal justice system to prevent wrongful convictions. OIP-u: TU is an undergraduate-run extracurricular group, which belongs and reports to the greater OIP umbrella organization, according to information provided by the university. It's mission is to further the goals of the collective, as well as provide educational and awareness-based programming about wrongful convictions and the legal system both on campus and locally, Hurwitz said. The chapter is also affiliated with the Tiffin University School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. For more information about the work the Ohio Innocence Project has done, visit facebook.com/OhioInnocenceProject. * Nicole Walby contributed to this story.