The story of a man who stood for something and the woman he loved. Falsely accused of murdering his girlfriend, James Woodard served more than twenty-seven years in prison. In April 2008, James became the seventeenth man exonerated by DNA evidence in Dallas County. The same day he was granted his freedom, James laid eyes on Joyce King, the "prison wife" he'd fantasized about falling in love with for nearly three decades. It was the happiest day of his life. Their mutual attraction was immediate, but a major hurdle complicated their relationship. Joyce was a prominent activist, the first non-lawyer to serve on the board of directors for the Innocence Project of Texas, the nonprofit that helped James win his freedom and ensure justice by working hard to change the compensation law in Texas. EXONERATED vividly details the instant bond James and Joyce shared as soul mates and the challenges that arouse when their disparate worlds collided. This riveting account serves as a blueprint for how to navigate innocence and avoid the painful lessons they learned about justice, freedom, power, and love. “A gripping yet tragic story of how imprisoning an innocent man for twenty-seven years destroys him and traumatizes the woman who loves him. This very personal account of a wrongful incarceration and its victim will deeply touch not only those who fight for justice but also folks who sit on the sideline.” —Morris Dees, Founder, Southern Poverty Law Center “EXONERATED looks at James’s life from the unflinching perspective of a woman who witnessed firsthand the lasting damage done when the criminal justice system fails and puts an innocent man behind bars.” —Texas Senator Rodney Ellis, board member, Innocence Project, New York This is one of the best books I have read regarding criminal justice issues. I would recommend it to anyone interested in knowing more about our system of justice! -Alex del Carmen, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Liberal and Fine Arts Program, Tarleton State University