Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the former boxer who was forced to use his fighting prowess to beat the criminal justice system, will deliver the keynote address at DePaul University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast Jan. 17, from 7:15 a.m. until 9 a.m. at the Cortelyou Commons, 2323 N. Fremont St. on the Lincoln Park campus.

     With its series of dramatic twists and turns, Carter's life is literally the stuff that movies are made of-or at least one, which stars Denzel Washington and opens in theaters across the country in December.

     Carter began his middleweight boxing career in 1961 and was quickly dubbed the "Hurricane" because of the fast and furious punching style he used against his opponents. Five years later, while preparing for a world championship fight, he was arrested for a triple murder that occurred in Paterson, N.J. After having been exonerated of the crime by a grand jury, Carter was charged and convicted based on the testimony of a witness who was a felon.

     In 1974, after narrowly escaping the electric chair and while serving three life terms, Carter published his autobiography, "The 16th Round: From Number 1 to Number 45472." That same year, the state's key witnesses in the murder trial recanted their testimony and Carter's case began receiving international attention. Steadfastly maintaining his innocence, Carter made contact with singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and was immortalized in his song, "Hurricane."

     Two years later, a second trial ended in a reconviction. Finally, in 1985, Carter's 19th year in prison, Federal District Court Judge H. Lee Sarokin overturned the second trial conviction after finding that the prosecution committed "grave constitutional violations." In 1988, the 22-year-old indictment was officially dismissed.

     "Mr. Carter's life illustrates what happens far too often to African-American men who comprise more than half of the prison system," said Harvette Grey, director of DePaul's Cultural Center, sponsor of the event. "It is so important to have him here as we celebrate a man who devoted his life to social justice and equality for all."

     Today, Carter, 60, lives a quiet life in Toronto, where he works tirelessly to assist prisoners who are believed to be wrongfully convicted. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Human Rights, the Alliance for Prison Justice and the Association in Defense of the Wrongfully Convicted.

     The DePaul University King Day Breakfast is open to the public and free of charge. Breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m. All persons who wish to attend must RSVP by Jan. 7, 2000 by calling 773/325-7739.