After spending more than a decade behind bars for a crime she did not commit, India Spellman walked free on Feb. 9, 2023, marking a major victory for justice.
Spellman, who was wrongfully convicted of second-degree murder at just 17 years old, became the first woman in over a generation to be exonerated in Philadelphia.
Her case, riddled with inconsistencies, coercion, and ignored alibi evidence, underscores the systemic failures that lead to wrongful convictions, particularly for Black women.
The only thing tying Spellman to the 2010 crimes—a robbery and fatal shooting—was the coerced confession of a 14-year-old boy, Von Combs, who later stated he was pressured and abused by police to name her.
A Conviction Built on Coercion, Not Evidence
There was no physical evidence linking Spellman to the crime. Phone records showed she was on a 25-minute call at the time of the incident.
Two family members confirmed she was home. The witness described one of the assailants as a dark-skinned, heavyset woman in her mid-20s wearing all-black Muslim attire. Spellman, a light-skinned 17-year-old high school basketball player, did not match this description in any way.
Despite her repeated claims of innocence, Spellman was beaten by police, denied access to her parents, and forced to sign a confession she did not even understand, according to her family.
Her conviction led to a 30-year sentence for crimes she never committed.
Decade-Long Fight for Justice
For 13 years, Spellman and her supporters fought to prove her innocence. Advocacy from organizations like the Philadelphia Justice Project (PJP) and growing public awareness kept pressure on officials to revisit the case.
On Feb. 9, 2023, their efforts paid off. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner moved to dismiss the case, acknowledging the grave miscarriage of justice.
“After multiple additional hearings and filings by my office, a judge today finally granted Ms. Spellman the relief she is due and granted our motion to exonerate her completely,” Krasner stated. “Ms. Spellman’s release from state custody is overdue.”
He also extended condolences to the family of the victim, George Greaves, emphasizing the importance of justice for all parties involved.
Even members of Greaves’ family spoke out against Spellman’s wrongful conviction, recognizing that an innocent woman had paid the price for a crime she didn’t commit.
The Significance of Spellman’s Exoneration
Spellman’s exoneration is not just a personal victory but a landmark moment in the fight against wrongful convictions, particularly for Black women.
Studies have long highlighted the racial and gender biases that contribute to wrongful imprisonment, and advocates see her case as a glaring example of these injustices.
“I’m also hoping that this case will showcase how racism and sexism contribute to wrongful convictions in ways that are particularly pernicious to women of color,” said Dr. Jill McCorkel, Director of PJP and a Villanova professor. “What happened to [Spellman] is an example of police and prosecutorial violence against Black women.”
Student activists from Villanova’s Philadelphia Justice Project played a significant role in raising awareness of Spellman’s case, emphasizing the broader implications of her wrongful imprisonment.
“Women, especially Black women, are continually forgotten about, silenced, and disregarded when it comes to correcting injustice,” said Ajee Robinson, PJP student president. “Her exoneration proves that their voices, their stories, their freedom, their happiness, and their lives matter.”
Moving Forward
For Spellman, the road ahead is about reclaiming her life and seeking justice for the years lost.
“I’m just happy to be home with my family, and I thank God… I’ve been telling them for years that I was innocent,” she said upon her release.
Organizations like the Philadelphia Justice Project continue to advocate for those still fighting for their freedom.
