Grisham Addresses Mississippi Today Audience
Best-selling author John Grisham served as the keynote speaker at Mississippi Today’s 10th Anniversary Celebration held on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson.
Speaking to an audience of more than 200 people, Grisham emphasized the critical role journalism plays in both Mississippi and the nation. He stated that the work of journalists is important not only for telling the truth but also for exposing systemic corruption and making known what has happened.
Grisham told the attendees that journalistic reporting helps pressure authorities and legislators to make changes in the law. He added with a note of humor regarding his career as a novelist, "And as a sideline, to give people like me something to fictionalize about."
The Innocent Man and Ron Williamson
Grisham reflected on his transition from legal fiction to nonfiction journalism, specifically citing his work on the book "The Innocent Man." His research into that project involved investigating the wrongful conviction of former baseball player Ron Williamson.
Williamson spent 11 years on death row in Oklahoma before being exonerated in 1999. Grisham explained that he first learned of Williamson’s case after reading his obituary in The New York Times. Following that discovery, Grisham traveled to Oklahoma to speak with Williamson’s family.
The investigation into Williamson’s case opened Grisham’s eyes to the broader issues within the criminal justice system. Through his work with Centurion Ministries founder Jim McCloskey, Grisham became aware of other wrongful convictions, including that of Jorge de los Santos.
Opposition to the Death Penalty
Grisham stated that he now opposes the death penalty due to its unfair application and the potential for executing innocent people. He cited data showing over 3,700 exonerations in the United States since 1989 as evidence of these systemic failures.
This opposition has led Grisham to take active roles in advocacy organizations. He joined the boards of both Centurion Ministries and the Innocence Project following his research into wrongful convictions.
Recent Publications and Future Work
In 2024, Grisham co-released "Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions" with McCloskey. The book features the stories of 23 people who were caught in the criminal justice system.
During his appearance at the Mississippi Today event, Grisham announced that he is currently working on a new nonfiction book about a wrongful conviction case in Texas. He described this upcoming project as his last book.
Grisham, who grew up in Southaven and once practiced law there, has authored more than 50 consecutive No. 1 bestsellers. The event also featured former state Rep. Bobby Moak and Jackson Mayor John Horhn speaking alongside the author.