top of page

Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere.

-Dr. Martin Luther King

April 1, 1999 was the day David Thorne's life came to a screeching halt. His friend and mother to his child, Yvonne Layne,  was found brutally slain on the floor of her home in Alliance, OH.

​

From the outset of the investigation, the police focused in on David. Despite there being a rather long list of potential suspects and person's of interest, David was the only person ever looked into. 

​

The problem was, David had a rock-solid alibi for the days leading up to the murder. Enter Joe Wilkes. 

​

Wilkes had been an acquaintance of David's. A known criminal, drug addict and drifter, Wilkes had few friends and even fewer allies. Within three months of the murder, Alliance PD wheedled a confession from Wilkes, who pointed the finger at David. 

​

According to Wilkes "confession", David had hired him to kill Yvonne Layne for the princely sum of $300. With no supporting physical evidence, David was charged, tried and convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Murder for Hire and sentenced to life in prison. 

​

During the trial, David's attorney would come to court inebriated. Completely. There are even points in the trial transcript that show the judge attempting to reign the attorney in. In addition, the DA on the case was looking to make a name for herself and would demonstrate outlandish actions in the courtoom. Such things as stomping her foot and screeching in open court, throwing what can only be described as adult temper tantrums and at one point, pointed her finger at David like a cocked gun while winking and saying "Gotcha!". 

​

This is a case that defies logic, reason or comprehension. The actions of the DA alone constitute a mistrial. The actions of the defense attorney constitute a mistrial. Most of all, the complete lack of evidence tying David Thorne to this case requires another look. We present to you here the case file. This file is extremely thick, therefore, it will be uploaded slowly as files are converted and properly processed. 

​

David has spent 17 years of his life in prison. He doesn't have a documentary about his case or a famous wrongful conviction attorney on his side. What he does have, however, is a group of people dedicated to seeing justice done. Join us and let us bring Justice to Yvonne Layne, her five children and David Thorne.

bottom of page