Exonerated Screenwriter John Whitfield Joins Oscars Amid Fight for Justice

LOS ANGELES, California — On March 2, John Whitfield, a 60-year-old ex-convict, will step onto the red carpet at the Oscars, highlighting his journey from wrongful conviction to recognition in Hollywood. Whitfield, nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film *Sing Sing*, aims to use this spotlight to shed light on his ongoing fight to clear his name.

Whitfield’s film, which portrays his life story, features actor Colman Domingo, also nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of Whitfield. “I’m hoping the attention on the film will alert people to my wrongful conviction,” he said. “I need to clear my name.”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Whitfield’s path toward a troubled youth led him to a life of crime, ultimately resulting in a murder conviction in 1988. The murder victim, Jimmy Calibera, was shot during a drug deal in front of the Breukelen Houses in Canarsie, where Whitfield lived at the time with his family. He claims he was innocent, having been at a friend’s apartment in Crown Heights when the shooting occurred.

In his 2005 prison memoir, which garnered a PEN America award, Whitfield detailed his situation and the circumstances surrounding his trial, stating the real killer was a rival gang member. His legal troubles worsened when he learned of the murder charges while serving time for drug-related offenses, after turning himself in.

“I was in the streets, hustling,” Whitfield recounted. “I take full responsibility for that. I was selling drugs and doing all that, but wound up going to prison for something I didn’t even do.”

Over the course of his 25-year sentence, Whitfield researched his case extensively in prison law libraries. His diligent efforts resulted in obtaining sufficient evidence to support his claims of innocence, including a crucial tape of a former NYPD detective’s interview with a witness who confirmed that Whitfield was not the perpetrator. However, despite presenting this evidence, his appeals were consistently denied.

After serving his full sentence, Whitfield was released in 2012 and has since dedicated his life to reforms aimed at helping others avoid the pitfalls he faced. He co-founded Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) in 1996, an initiative that empowers incarcerated individuals through creative expression and the performing arts.

“The beautiful thing is, this country is really recognizing that there’s a lot of power in arts,” Whitfield noted. “This movie is being embraced because it has a strong message of humanity and healing.”

Filmed at a decommissioned prison, *Sing Sing* showcases a group of inmates who, with guidance from a theater director, produce plays every six months, showcasing their talents and stories to fellow inmates.

Whitfield and Domingo’s collaboration attracted attention, as Domingo only had 17 days to film the project. The cast worked together under a unique compensation structure, sharing both risks and rewards. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and later saw a broader release, being streamed in over 1,100 prisons.

“Working with Domingo was a beautiful experience,” Whitfield stated. “When they suggested Colman Domingo, I said, ‘hey, it’s a no-brainer.’”

Whitfield’s commitment to justice and social reform has left an impression on many, as he remains determined to prevent young people from encountering similar circumstances. His ultimate hope is for the spotlight of an Oscar win to raise awareness about the need for reforms in the criminal justice system and the potential opportunities art can provide for individuals in similar situations.

If he wins, Whitfield remarked, “It would really put a spotlight on RTA. Let’s take a hard look at it and see the power in it.”