Thirty-five years after he walked free from prison when his murder conviction was overturned, Santiago Ventura Morales (Mixtec) is receiving monetary compensation from the state and an official document declaring his innocence. Morales spent five years behind bars before witnesses in the case admitted to submitting false testimony and other forensic evidence proved faulty. During his initial trial, Morales was afforded only a Spanish translator even though he mainly spoke Indigenous Mixtec and only limited Spanish. We’ll talk with Morales about his life since his conviction. We’ll also hear from Luis Marcos (Mayan) whose organization works to support Mayan immigrants in the United States.
To join the discussion, call 1-800-996-2848. This program airs on KIDE at 10 am Pacific. It is archived on nativeamericacalling.com
GUESTS
Santiago Ventura Morales (Mixtec), social worker and exoneree
Luis Marcos (Q’anjob’al Maya), co-founder and executive director of Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim