Gregory Bright
Gregory Bright (born 1954) is a New Orleans native who was convicted of second degree murder in 1974 at the age of 20. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, served at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.[1] After several years of appeals, Bright was granted a new trial in 2001 on the grounds that the prosecution had withheld evidence from the defense in his previous trial. On June 24, 2003, Bright and Earl Truvia were released after the Orleans Parish district attorney dismissed all charges against them; they had spent 27 1/2 years in prison for a crime they did not commit. When Bright was released from prison, the State of Louisiana provided him with only a US $10 check and garbage bags full of legal paperwork.
Bright speaks around the United States about his wrongful incarceration and his life since being released from prison. He can also be seen on HBO's Tremé, the third season of FX's American Horror Story and TNT's Memphis Beat.
Innocence Project New Orleans
[edit]In 2010, Bright joined Innocence Project New Orleans as Assistant Education and Outreach Director.[2]
Never Fight a Shark in Water
[edit]Lara Naughton and Gregory Bright collaborated on a documentary play based on Bright's words and recollections that exposes the failure of the criminal justice system, life in prison, and Bright's journey to freedom and forgiveness. With its first showing in 2010, the play is now performed by Bright himself under Naughton's direction.
Acting career
[edit]Since being released from prison, Bright has acted in several film and TV roles.
FIlm
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Twelve Years a Slave | Edward | [3] | |
| 2019 | Synchronic | Priest | [3] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Treme | 3 episodes | [4] | |
| Memphis Beat | Pee-Wee | [3] | ||
| 2013 | American Horror Story | Homeless man | [3] | |
| 2013 | Roots | Driver slave | [3] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Jennings, Doug. "Never Fight a Shark in Water’ highlights man exonerated of murder". Daily Utah Chronicle, February 9, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-11
- ^ Innocence Project New Orleans Staff Directory Archived 2011-11-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-02-15
- ^ a b c d e "Gregory Bright | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
- ^ "Gregory Bright Movies and Shows - Apple TV". Apple TV. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
External links
[edit]- Video: Gregory Bright on campus Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine. Media presentation on LSU Reveille campus regarding Bright's conviction and sentence
- Gregory Bright: A real crime: Wrongfully convicted. Editorial by Gregory Bright regarding Conviction (2010 film) and his own account of wrongful convictions. Star Tribune, October 24, 2010.
- Hopes for 2006: Gregory Bright. Radio Interview with Gregory Bright. All Things Considered. NPR, December 31, 2005.
- Innocence Project New Orleans: Gregory Bright and Earl Truvia. Information provided by the non-profit that accepted Bright's case in 2001