x
Breaking News
More () »

WNBA star taking break from basketball to focus on wrongful conviction case

Maya Moore said a Missouri man is serving time for a crime he did not commit.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Basketball start Maya Moore was at the top of her game. She has won four WNBA titles and two Olympic gold medals. The Missouri native has put it all on hold to focus on a new passion.

“When your convictions are moving you to a place that you know is right, it makes it a little less hard,” Moore told NBC News.

Years ago, Moore met Jonathan Irons in prison. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison for shooting and injuring a man in O’Fallon, Missouri, in 1997. Moore started researching his case.

“There was no physical evidence, no DNA, footprint, fingerprint,” she said. “That began a journey for me of having my eyes opened to - oh my gosh, people are in prison who shouldn't be there.”

Moore started a petition on Change.org. She also started her own organization called Win With Justice that focuses on the issue of wrongful convictions.

Wednesday, Moore attended a court hearing in Jefferson City to shed light on Iron’s case. The judge ruled the petitioners need to petition to re-evaluate the fingerprinting evidence. The next court date is in December.

For more information about Win With Justice, click here.

More local news:

RELATED: Planned Parenthood built in secret prepares to open as protesters rally against it

RELATED: 'I'm thankful I'm not dead' | Lincoln Co. mom says she was assaulted by door-to-door salesman

RELATED: Cards advance to NLCS, oust Braves with record 1st inning in NLDS Game 5

Before You Leave, Check This Out