National Organization of Exonerees holds Kevin Strickland rally Saturday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Organization of Exonerees hosted a rally Saturday outside of the Jackson County Courthouse to bring attention to Kevin Strickland’s trial that’s set to begin Monday.

Rally attendees held signs that read “Free Kevin."

"There's somebody else waiting for this moment, there's somebody else waiting for us to give him a yellow shirt, there's somebody else that's waiting to hold that microphone," said Kenneth Nixon, exoneree group chairman.

Supporters expressed their hope to see Strickland freed after 43 years.

"We’re humans, and we need to take care of each other. If somebody is innocent, we need to stand up and take care of each other," one supporter said.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri and Missourians Against the Death Penalty were also in attendance Saturday to show support for Strickland's release.

Throughout the course of Strickland’s legal proceedings, the National Organization of Exonerees has continued to speak out on his innocence.

In August, a rally was held in Jefferson City, Missouri, to call for the release of Strickland.

"I can tell you exactly what he's going through, stress, anxiety, sleepless nights, days without eating, losing focus, you can't pay attention because all you can think about is your freedom," Nixon previously told KSHB 41 News.

Just a few days later, Nixon came to a hearing in Kansas City to show support.

“It's extremely frustrating for us, it's hurtful,” Nixon said. “People tend to forget there's lives on end of this.”

Strickland was convicted of a 1979 triple murder and has always maintained he is innocent.

During a motions hearing Thursday, Judge James E. Welsh ruled prosecutors will present their arguments in support of exonerating Strickland on Monday, Nov. 8.

The trial will begin at 10 a.m.