BRUCE LISKER leaving Mule Creek prison in Paul Ingels' blue truck, Aug 13 2009. Tape

Wrongful conviction survivor Bruce Lisker, posing in a blue suit and tie, before a blurred office background.

About Me

Thursday, March 10, 1983. I came home and found my mother beaten, stabbed, and dying. I tried to save her. Called the police and the paramedics. It didn't help. She didn't survive.

I was 17. Within days — despite evidence pointing elsewhere, despite an obvious suspect left free — I was charged and ultimately convicted of her murder, and sentenced to life in California state prison.

I spent the next 26 years there. Innocent.

Bruce Lisker, circa 1974, in Hawaii. Holding the family's 8mm video camera, looking straight-on.

Hawaii (1974). Bruce with the family's 8mm camera. Decades later, 48 Hours Mysteries featured footage from this day in its episode "The Whole Truth," about his mother's botched murder investigation and his wrongful conviction for the crime.

In August 2009 — after 9,653 days — I walked out of prison, having met the high burden of proving my innocence in federal court. That was many years ago. I have not stopped moving since.

The story of our family tragedy, of my mother's botched murder investigation and my wrongful conviction for the crime, has been told widely: 22 television and film appearances. 60 published articles. 25 radio interviews and podcasts. It's all here — and I invite you to explore it.

That's the case. This is the life.

Thank you for seeing me.

my services

  • Web Design and Maintenance logo

    Website Solutions

    Complete Sites from $1,500 — Need an impactful website or expert care for your existing one? I provide elegant, user-friendly designs, customization, and ongoing management. Let's create something truly amazing together!

  • Pleased photo restoration client

    Photo Restoration

    Transform your faded memories into vivid keepsakes. Using two new state-of-the-art photo scanners, I scan, rejuvenate, and refine images to showcase their best. Pricing varies based on job size and attention required.

  • "Your Technology Mechanic" Services photo

    Your Tech Fixer

    Technology giving you the blues? I can fix glitchy apps, lost passwords, flashing VCR clocks and more!. Affordable pricing, multiple issues resolved per call. Drop me a line, and we'll get everything fixed in one shot, quickly and efficiently!

  • Back of a bald man in a suit facing an audience in a conference room with bright lights and large screens

    Speaker for Worthy Causes

    I'm dedicated to using my wrongful conviction experience to fight injustices, champion causes, and inspire change. I aim to support needed legislation, be a voice for the voiceless, and turn tragedy into human benefit.

  • Event Photos & Assignments

    Event Photographer

    My love for the visual arts, a good camera and a keen eye for detail may resonate... Browse my gallery and see if we're a match. Currently offered to family and friends, only.

media coverage

  • Black and white vintage television with test pattern, surrounded by film equipment and studio lighting.

    television & film appearances

    Broadcast coverage including 48 Hours Mystery.

  • A black and white scene of a newsroom with a newspaper headline reading 'Detective accused of moonlighting to retire,' a computer monitor showing a detective reading a newspaper, a microphone, a figurine of a detective in a trench coat and hat, a notepad with a pen, and a stack of newspapers.

    press coverage

    Newspapers, magazines, and long-form reporting.

  • Recording studio setup with microphones, mixing console, and audio equipment in a modern room with a sofa and desk in background.

    radio & podcasts

    Interviews, conversations, and audio features.

Portrait

I'm a…

Wrongful Conviction Survivor.
Healing Human.
Photographer.

and on instagram…

contact me

I’d love to hear from you.

Have a question, feedback, or just want to say hello? Feel free to drop a message anytime using the form below.

I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

causes I support

  • Death Penalty Focus logo

    Death Penalty Focus

    COMMITTED TO THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY, MEDIA OUTREACH, AND DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL COALITION BUILDING.

  • The Innocence Center logo

    The Innocence Center

    THE INNOCENCE CENTER IS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO FREEING THE INNOCENT FROM PRISON, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE CAUSES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTION, AND ASSISTING FREED CLIENTS AS THEY REENTER SOCIETY.

  • The National Registry of Exonerations logo

    The National Registry of Exonerations

    THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF EXONERATIONS IS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON EXONERATIONS OF INNOCENT CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE FALSE CONVICTIONS BY LEARNING FROM PAST ERRORS.

  • The Freedom to Choose Project logo

    The Freedom to Choose Project

    TRANSFORMING LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION THROUGH COMPASSIONATE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION.

  • PBS (The Public Broadcasting System) logo

    PBS

    PBS AND THEIR MEMBER STATIONS ARE AMERICA’S LARGEST CLASSROOM, THE NATION’S LARGEST STAGE FOR THE ARTS AND A TRUSTED WINDOW TO THE WORLD. IN ADDITION, PBS'S EDUCATIONAL MEDIA HELPS PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND OPENS UP THE WORLD TO THEM IN AN AGE-APPROPRIATE WAY.

  • ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) logo

    ASPCA

    THE ASPCA’S MISSION, AS STATED BY FOUNDER HENRY BERGH IN 1866, IS “TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE MEANS FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.” OUR ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT ANIMALS ARE ENTITLED TO KIND AND RESPECTFUL TREATMENT AT THE HANDS OF HUMANS AND MUST BE PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW.

  • Pets Lifeline logo

    Pets Lifeline

    PETS LIFELINE PROTECTS AND IMPROVES THE LIVES OF CATS AND DOGS IN NEED IN SONOMA VALLEY THROUGH SHELTERING AND ADOPTION, HUMANE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.

  • Saint Jude's Children's Research Center logo

    St. Jude's

    TO ADVANCE CURES, AND MEANS OF PREVENTION, FOR PEDIATRIC CATASTROPHIC DISEASES THROUGH RESEARCH AND TREATMENT. CONSISTENT WITH THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDER DANNY THOMAS, NO CHILD IS DENIED TREATMENT BASED ON RACE, RELIGION OR A FAMILY'S ABILITY TO PAY.

  • Wounded Warrior Project logo

    Wounded Warrior Project

    THE MISSION OF WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT IS TO HONOR AND EMPOWER WOUNDED WARRIORS. THEIR VISION IS TO FOSTER THE MOST SUCCESSFUL, WELL-ADJUSTED GENERATION OF WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY. WWP BEGAN IN 2003 AS A SMALL, GRASSROOTS EFFORT PROVIDING SIMPLE CARE AND COMFORT ITEMS TO THE HOSPITAL BEDSIDES OF THE FIRST WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS RETURNING HOME FROM THE CONFLICTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. AS THEIR POST-SERVICE NEEDS EVOLVED, SO HAVE OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

  • Claire's Place Foundation logo

    Claire's Place Foundation

    CLAIRE’S PLACE FOUNDATION PROVIDES HEART-FELT ASSISTANCE TO THE FAMILIES OF CHILDREN AND TO INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS. WE WORK TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS AND WE PROVIDE EDUCATION, SKILLS, FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.