Get to know matt

We write as Matthew Kennedy’s family and as advocates for justice. Since 2018, our son and brother has lived under a wrongful conviction that has permanently altered his life and ours. This case is not merely legal. It is deeply personal, and we remain unwavering in our pursuit of truth, integrity, and justice.

At the conclusion of the trial, Matthew was immediately taken into custody and removed from the courtroom without warning. Our family was forced to leave without the chance to speak to him or say goodbye, left in uncertainty about when or if we would see him again. That moment marked the beginning of a profound injustice.

During the trial, the State failed to disclose material exculpatory evidence, including relevant text messages, medical records, and the absence of any DNA evidence linking Matthew to the alleged offense. The accuser also gave materially inconsistent statements that were not fully presented to the jury. This suppression of evidence violated Matthew’s constitutional right to due process and denied the jury the information necessary for a fair verdict.

While deeply personal, Matthew’s case reflects broader systemic failures long documented in wrongful convictions such as those of Anthony Ray Hinton and the Central Park Five. These cases reveal the devastating cost of withheld evidence and procedural misconduct.

Our response has been grounded in truth, service, and advocacy. Matthew’s parents are pastors who continue to rely on prayer while seeking justice. His sisters have been shaped by this injustice. One is pursuing medicine, another law, and another entrepreneurship, each committed to restoring dignity, truth, and accountability. We continue to pursue every legal avenue for meaningful judicial review, trusting that history has shown truth can prevail, even after decades. 

Thank you for hearing our family’s voice. Your support affirms not only Matthew Kennedy, but all those silenced by wrongful convictions. Together, through the truth and collective advocacy, we believe justice can and must prevail.