Ronald Cotton

About the Author

Ronald Cotton is a resilient survivor and advocate whose life story embodies the profound impact of wrongful conviction and the power of forgiveness. Falsely imprisoned for eleven years for a crime he did not commit, Cotton's journey took an extraordinary turn when DNA evidence exonerated him and identified the true perpetrator. Co-authoring the acclaimed memoir 'Picking Cotton: Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption' with Jennifer Thompson—the woman who misidentified him—Cotton weaves a narrative of healing, empathy, and systemic reform. Today, he dedicates himself to criminal justice advocacy, speaking nationwide to promote awareness and prevent miscarriages of justice, inspiring readers with his unwavering commitment to redemption and human connection.