Councilmember Capp reads resolution recognizing Oct. 2 as Wrongful Conviction Day; adoption not recorded

Councilmember Capp read a resolution on Oct. 21 recognizing Oct. 2, 2025, as Wrongful Conviction Day in Nashville and Davidson County and invited two exonerees present for a photograph and brief remarks.

Capp said the Metropolitan government of Nashville and Davidson County “is committed to promoting justice, fairness, and the protection of the innocent,” and read the resolution text naming several individuals who were wrongfully convicted and later exonerated, including Wayne Burgess, Claude Garrett, Paul Shane Garrett, Scott Minton, Darren Price, Joyce Watkins, Ricky Lee Webb and Artis Whitehead. The reading also noted Charlie Dunn, who died in prison before being exonerated.

The resolution text read on the record states that it “hereby goes on record as recognizing 10/02/2025 as wrongful conviction day in Nashville and Davidson County,” and directs the metropolitan clerk to forward a copy of the resolution to the Tennessee Innocence Project. The resolution text also says it “shall take effect from and after its adoption,” but the transcript does not record a motion to adopt, a second, or a vote on the measure.

Two people identified in the resolution, identified in the transcript as Mr. Whitehead and Ms. Watkins, joined councilmembers for a photograph after the reading. One of the exonerees addressed the council to offer thanks for the recognition.

Because the transcript does not record a formal vote, it is not possible from this record to say whether the council adopted the resolution during the session. The resolution as read includes an instruction that the metropolitan clerk forward a copy to the Tennessee Innocence Project; the transcript records that direction as part of the resolution text but does not show implementation steps beyond the presentation and photograph.