Q&A with Journalist and Executive Producer Dan Slepian, Director Dawn Porter and participants Jon-Adrian Velazquez and David Lemus

Monday, Nov. 18 2024, 6:30

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• Dan Slepian is a journalist at NBC News and a veteran producer of its signature newsmagazine, Dateline. The Sing Sing Chronicles follows two decades of his work as he investigates the convictions of six men in five unrelated homicide cases in a relentless pursuit of the truth. Slepian’s documentaries and investigative specials have made him a leader in reporting on the criminal legal system and wrongful convictions. His work has earned three Edward R. Murrow Awards, over a dozen Emmys, and recognition from justice organizations nationwide. Slepian is the author of recently released book The Sing Sing Files, and is host of the acclaimed podcast Letters from Sing Sing, recognized as a Pulitzer finalist.
• Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez is an advocate for legal reform and a champion for those wrongfully convicted. He is the program director for the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice where he leads the organization’s National Prison Visitation Program in an effort to redefine the humanity of people serving time in prison. In addition to his real-life advocacy, Velazquez portrays himself in the acclaimed film Sing Sing, starring Colman Domingo, which depicts the facility’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program. Velazquez was incarcerated nearly 24 years for a crime he did not commit. He has two sons, Jon Jr. and Jacob, three grandchildren, and lives in Connecticut with his fiancée, Geri.
• David Lemus is speaking out about his wrongful conviction with the hope that it will inspire deeper understanding and meaningful change. He met JJ Velazquez while serving time in side-by-side cells, and later introduced him to journalist Dan Slepian. Lemus’ conviction was overturned in 2005, and he was released from prison after serving nearly 15 years for a crime he did not commit. In 2007, he was retried and acquitted. He has spent the past two decades building his life in Florida. Lemus has three children, David Jr., Alexander and Yasmeen, and lives with his fiancée, Yesica and his stepson Jonathan.
• Dawn Porter is an American documentary filmmaker and the founder of the production company Trilogy. Her award-winning films include Gideon’s Army, Spies of Mississippi, Trapped, Luther: Never Too Much, The Lady Bird Diaries, and Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court. As a three-time Sundance film festival director, Porter’s work has been featured on HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, CNN, PBS, MSNBC, MTV Films, and other platforms. Porter discovered her passion for filmmaking following her time as an attorney. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a major in political science and has a law degree from Georgetown University Law School.