In 1994, 17-year-old Lamonte McIntyre was arrested hours after a double homicide in Kansas City, Kansas — a crime he had nothing to do with. There was no physical evidence and no real investigation. What there was: a detective with a grudge against Lamonte's mother, a prosecutor who apparently knew her witnesses were lying, and a judge allegedly "involved" with that prosecutor. Undoing all those wrongs took 23 years.
This week, Investigative Journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell sit down with Miracle of Innocence co-founder Lamonte McIntyre to talk about being swallowed by a system built to protect itself — the moment two strangers pointed at him in a courtroom, the years he refused to wear a prison ID, and the day a prosecutor finally stood up and dropped every charge.
But this isn't only a story about what was taken. Lamonte talks about what he built after: Kansas compensation law, legislation to prevent police from sexually assaulting citizens, and what he's asking the rest of us to do.
Learn more about the Miracle of Innocence's 9th Annual Fundraising Gala, September 26, 2026 @ 5:00PM
☕ Cups Up! ⚖️
Join LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon
Or support our reporting: https://lunashark.supercast.com/donations/new
Lawyers & Judges: Send legal suggestions or offers for Pro Hac / Pro Bono representation to legal@lunasharkmedia.com
Episode References
'Vengeance is his': Witness in Lamonte McIntyre's case reacts to Terra Morehead's disbarment - KSHB 41 📺
Lamonte McIntyre’s wrongful conviction story
“23 Years for Murder. He Didn’t Do it. What Went Wrong?” - NY Times, Nov 20, 2017
Learn more about the Miracle of Innocence & Centurion Ministries
“Lawyer who represented Lamonte McIntyre in murder trial has law license suspended” - The Kansas City Star, June 17, 2022
“Kansas prosecutor who framed innocent man surrenders law license, will soon be disbarred” - KCUR, April 16, 2024
“Trial by Lies: The Lamonte McIntyre story” by Lamonte McIntrye
“Injustice Town: A Corrupt City, a Wrongly Convicted Man, and a Struggle for Freedom” by Rick Tulsky
Previous Episode: COJ #123 with Darryl Burton
Stay Tuned, Stay Pesky and Stay in the Sunlight...☀️
LUNASHARK Premium on Patreon get access to all new bonus episodes, video episodes, case files, live trial coverage and exclusive live experiences with our hosts.
Luna Shark Merch With a Mission shop at lunasharkmerch.com/
Support Our Show, Sponsors and Mission: https://lunasharkmedia.com/support/
Quince - Hungry Root - Bombas
Find us on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/cupofjustice/ | https://www.instagram.com/cojpod/
Mandy Matney on Instagram | Liz Farrell on Instagram | Eric Bland on Instagram
YouTube | TIKTOK
*** Alert: If you ever notice audio errors in the pod, email info@lunasharkmedia.com and we'll send fun merch to the first listener that finds something that needs to be adjusted! ***
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices