Greetings Family, Friends, and Supporters
Welcome to the Justice for Jo-V website. My name is Jovan David Wash; my family and friends call me Jo-V. I am a 29-year-old Black male currently incarcerated in Central Prison, Raleigh, North Carolina. I have been claiming my innocence since 2006.
My roots began 29 years ago when I was born to Bettie M. North of Gary, Indiana, my mother and best friend whom departed this life in 2004. After graduating in June of 2001, as a Dance Major, from Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High School, I continued my education at the University of Indianapolis. During my sophomore year, I transferred to Livingstone College, another private institution, in Salisbury, North Carolina, where I studied Business Administration and Marketing. At the time of this unfortunate occurrence, I was three (3) months from graduation and the proud Entrepreneur of Skool U, where I personally designed and sold gear catering to college students. I was very enthusiastic about expanding my business after graduation, before being incarcerated. Now, I am currently serving a maximum sentence of 20 years in a maximum security prison, on my first ever alleged offense.
I was first arrested in the State of North Carolina in 2006, charged with six (6) counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon in two (2) different counties: Cabarrus and Rowan County, North Carolina. On the morning of my arrest, I was at school and was taken out of my Business Law class for questioning by detectives. Once I had been accused of the robberies, I asked to make a phone call and asked if I could leave the room. The detectives denied me those rights and then coerced me into giving a false confession whereby I signed a blank sheet of paper that was supposed to be an acknowledgement of my rights. The signature was later placed with my alleged written confession which was in the detective's handwriting.
I served three (3) years in Rowan County Detention Center awaiting trial. My case was brought to trial in July 2009, and I was found guilty on less than substantial evidence, no DNA match, and the conflicting descriptions of me given by prosecution's witnesses. During the trial, the public defender representing me conducted no investigations, called no witnesses, nor made any cross examinations. Furthermore, I am still facing another trial in Rowan County where I could receive more time, if convicted. "How is it that no one positively identified me in any of the robberies, I had never been convicted of any crime or traffic infraction prior to these charges, yet, I was arrested seven (7) months after my left thumb print was allegedly lifted from the public countertop of one of the several drug stores robbed?"
I am seeking support from family, friends, professional blue/white collar workers and any of the general public who might stand with me in my struggle to see that justice prevails. I would like the opportunity to complete my life's endeavors, continue the path God designed for me, and most of all I desire to reunite with my family. In order to make this a realization, I am asking for support to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent me. Donations of any amount will greatly assist me and my loved ones in achieving our goal so that we may retain legal representation to fight this injustice.
Thank you for all your love and support! Blessings!
Jovan D. Wash
