Wrongfully Silenced. Unstoppable Hope.
After 17 years behind bars for defending his family, Robert J. Ruark needs your voice.
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About Robert
At 21, Robert Ruark protected his family from an armed neighbor—only to be convicted of murder after his attorney abandoned his self-defense case. Now 38 and a model student, dog-trainer, and peer mentor, Robert has transformed tragedy into purpose.
The Case in Brief
- July 3, 2008: Drunk, armed neighbors attack Robert’s sister and brother.
- Dec 2009: Robert’s now-disbarred lawyer pressured him not to claim self-defence and called no witnesses and submitted no evidence, failing to share Robert’s side during trial. As a result, Robert was convicted of felony murder.
- Since 2010: Earned degrees, mentored peers, trained rescue dogs, built a life of service.
Why It Matters
I’ve met few people so committed to helping others change.- ODRC administrator, London Correctional
Robert’s work with rescue dogs saved countless lives.– Director, PureBreed Rescue Organization