Jay-Z’s Team Roc Raises $1 Million To Investigate Wrongful Convictions In Kansas

Jay-Z’s Team Roc Raises $1 Million To Investigate Wrongful Convictions In Kansas

Jay-Z is definitely going the extra mile to help those in need. According to reports, Jay-Z’s Team Roc has recently raised $1 million in donations to investigate wrongful convictions in Wyandotte County, which is located in Kansas. Team Roc is the social justice organization that is attached to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Wyandotte County is reportedly responsible for multiple serious injustices, including the wrongful conviction of Lamonte McIntyre and Olin “Pete” Coones Jr.

Lamonte McIntyre was imprisoned for 23 years for two murders he did not commit in Kansas City, Kansas. Olin “Pete” Coones Jr. spent 12 years in prison and was exonerated of a Wyandotte County murder. Unfortunately, he died from cancer that went undiagnosed about three months after his release. So far, approximately 40 people who were convicted in Wyandotte County have applied for the innocence project to investigate their cases.

The executive director of the Midwest Innocence Project, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, spoke on the importance of the cause and what is taking place in Wyandotte County. She said,

“It’s a huge investment.”

She added,

“The ability to look at these cases … is really going to continue to shine a light on what we need to do to actually provide a just criminal legal system in Wyandotte County.”

As previously reported, this past September Team Roc filed a lawsuit against the Kansas City police department over alleged misconduct. As part of the suit, Team Roc is seeking access to documents that would explain complaints filed against individuals in the department’s investigative unit. The organization is also requesting documents connected to the training and supervision of officers. The lawsuit claims the KCKPD said it would provide a number of documents but has,

“refused to produce documents pertaining to any steps that the City has taken in response to those Complaints, including any investigations or disciplinary proceedings initiated as a result of the complaints.”

The complaint adds,

“These documents will help identify the scope of the problem, any potential evidence of a cover-up, and also the potential causes.”

The organization addressed the ongoing lawsuit on social media as well.

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