On December 23, 1997, a botched robbery at a popular pizza restaurant in Reading, PA resulted in the death of its beloved owner, George Clauser. A reward in the paper led police to 19 year old Melvin Ortiz, when two individuals with obvious agendas implicated him. Despite 19 alibi witnesses placing Melvin at a birthday party at the time of the crime, Melvin was sentenced to spend life in prison without parole. Maggie speaks to Melvin Ortiz at SCI - Dallas, PA., Marc Howard J.D., Melvin's advocate, and Victoria Blanco, Melvin's fiancee.

To learn more and get involved, visit:

If anyone has any information on this case, please email [email protected]

https://www.freemelvinortiz.org/ 

@freemelvinortiz on instagram, twitter, facebook, tiktok

https://www.change.org/MelvinOrtiz

https://www.instagram.com/freemelvinortiz/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCpeXu5tURsdkRezBY2EVQ

https://fundly.com/support-ortiz-family

https://lavaforgood.com/with-maggie-freleng/

Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.