Voices of the System

Voices of the System delves into the injustices within the criminal justice system, spotlighting real stories of both individuals who've faced its harsh realities and professionals who have taken initiative in creating a more just system. Through poignant narratives, it exposes systemic flaws and advocates for change, fostering understanding and empathy. Join us as we shed light on the humanity lost in the system, striving for a more equitable and compassionate future.

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Voices of the System

Episode 9 Trailer: Yahya Moore

August 19, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 9

0:00 | 2:06

In this trailer for Voices of the System, Yahya Moore discusses his wrongful conviction for a crime he did not commit and his experience spending decades incarcerated before gaining his freedom. Yahya shares the strength he found while inside, and how he now uses his own story to help others through his work with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.

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I've served 27 years on a wrongful conviction. I worked in the law library for 18 under 22 years, and I was kept my whole case alive. I was raised in a dysfunctional household, smoking, drinking, and we would get into a lot of trouble. Most of the time we were in absolute poverty. I was actually 13 years old when I went to my first juvenile placement. From there, I continued down the road of looking for the answers and all the wrong places. We don't have to be told about inequality because we feel it. If you're from a particular zip code, you are viewed as somebody who is guilty. I had no idea what could happen to me. I soon found out. A crime occurred in 1996. The surviving victims identified two perpetrators. Initially, they wanted two people to arrest for this crime. But now they only have one because the other guy here had killed himself. The witnesses said they seen two people. And it's just as simple as wanting two people to fall for it instead of one. Now they want a live body. They can't convict the person who's dead. What do they do? The homicide needed to close a case. They handcuffed me to a steel chair for three days. And they tried to get me to confess to this crime, but I didn't sign the statement. They charged me anyway. They took the evidence that showed that it was the other person and they hit it. I started trial with an attorney that I had never seen before. The right to testify on their own behalf and the right to be tried by a jury. These are the two of the most important rights, and they were breaked away from me by my own attorney. After a four-day trial, I was convicted of conspiracy to commit felony murder and was sentenced to life without parole for a crime that I did not commit. Even though they gave me a life sentence, I had my chest out. I had the sense of pride that I had never had before. I was determined to change. From that moment on, I began working on myself to develop a better character and make my life meaningful. For me, it was just learning to have the ability to face what you don't like about yourself. You have to keep pushing forward. What will you do with your life?