Criminal justice is a human endeavor. Thus mistakes are made. Sometimes this results in innocent people getting executed or spending years in prison for a crime they simply did not commit. One such story is that of Mr. James Hugney. In 1978, a fire ripped through Hugney’s home in Harrisburg. Hugeny’s son, James Jr. suffered burns on 98% of his body and dies a few days later. Hugney was accused of arson and murder. At the trial, prosecutors accused Hugney of pouring gasoline around his son’s bed. Based on the limited fire science of that time, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Currently, this case is being litigated by The McShane Firm. As you can see in the recent news reports by ABC27, there is significant evidence to show that this was not an arson and that Hugney was in fact innocent:
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This is an evident tragedy. An innocent man losing 35 years of his life is unimaginable. Nothing can be done to fix the damages caused to him. The only we can do is look to the future and end this grave injustice. In that YOU can help.
You can help in four main ways.
1. Positive thoughts and prayers.
2. Sharing this website on social media with the hashtag #FreeHugney and the group phrase of “What would it be like to be locked up for 35 years for a crime that you never did? www.FreeHugney.com #FreeHugney”
3. Liking the #FreeHugney Facebook Fan Page.
4. Consider donating money through http://www.gofundme.com/FreeHugney for his expert costs. His lawyers do not get any of the money. The lawyers are working for free.
- 5% of the donation goes to GoFundMe for administering and publicizing the cause
- Each donation has a 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction fee.
- So in total fees, there is 7.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
- Call 1-866-MCSHANE or 717-657-3900 and tell anyone who answers the phone that you would like to make a donation to FreeHugney. You can use a check, credit card or debit card.
- Go click here to get to a secure pay site. In the area that reads “What account is this payment for?,” please write “FreeHugney.”
Justin McShane
PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.