Alumna speaks to students at Marian Central about writing

Laura Caldwell, publisher of 12 novels and recent winner of Marian Central's Alumni Excellence Award, returned to the Woodstock school Dec. 2 to speak to juniors and seniors about the experience that inspired her nonfiction book, “Long Way Home: A Young Man Lost in the System and the Two Women Who Found Him.”

A successful author and former trial lawyer, Caldwell is currently a professor and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She explained that she first met Jovan Mosley, the subject of “Long Way Home,” through her friend and fellow lawyer, Catharine O'Daniel. Mosley had spent almost six years in prison without ever appearing in court. He had been forced to sign a false confession to a murder charge after two days of police harassment. Caldwell and her friend took Mosley's case and ultimately won his freedom at trial. Jovan, however, had virtually nothing when he was released.

Caldwell was personally affected by Mosley's situation. She subsequently founded Life after Innocence, a group which helps innocent people find the resources and help they need as they begin their lives again after being wrongfully imprisoned. Caldwell has spoken about Life after Innocence to groups all over America. Marian students were moved by Jovan's story and Caldwell's role in helping him reclaim his life. Caldwell has maintained a friendship with Jovan; in fact, she served as his “best man” at his wedding. He is currently attending college.

At the end of the day, Caldwell stayed for Marian's Writers Society, Le Nom de Plume, Open Mic Night. After listening to the students' poems and stories, Caldwell encouraged them to continue their writing. Students commented that they especially enjoyed the chance to hear Caldwell's talk because she related to them so well.