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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNearly 40 years after being convicted in 1975 Ricky Jackson and Wiley Bridgeman are free men.
Ricky Jackson and Wiley Bridgeman released after teen witness recanted testimony in 1975 murder: The English language doesnt even fit what Im feeling
Nearly 40 years after being convicted for a 1975 Cleveland slaying, Ricky Jackson and Wiley Bridgeman left the county jail as free men.
A Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge dismissed the cases against the two men Friday after the key witness against Jackson, Bridgeman and his brother Ronnie Bridgeman at trial, a 13-year-old boy, recanted last year and said Cleveland police detectives coerced him into testifying that the three killed businessman Harry Franks the afternoon of May 19, 1975.
Cuyahoga County prosecutors on Thursday filed the motion to dismiss all charges against the three men, who were sentenced to death at the time of the conviction. Ronnie Bridgeman, 57, who is now known as Kwame Ajamu, was released from prison in January 2003. He attended the hearings of both men Friday.
When he dismissed Jacksons case, Judge Richard McMonagle said, Life is filled with small victories, and this is a big one.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/21/ohio-man-free-wrongful-imprisonment
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)30+ years seems to me to be more than an adequate penalty in most cases anyway.
UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)Another reason I oppose the death penalty is that it more about revenge than justice and death is a easy way out for the perpetrator. I don't mind someone sitting and contemplating what they have done for many, many years. Also, if a mistake as in this case is made nothing can be done.
NaturalHigh
(12,778 posts)Hopefully they will get some sort of monetary settlement from the state. It won't make up for the injustice that was done to them or all those years behind bars, but maybe it can help them get a head start on a new life.
UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)for them to be free, I wish them the best of luck and hope they can enjoy the rest of their lives.
kelliekat44
(7,759 posts)UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)now let's hear about the Black Friday sales.
Rex
(65,616 posts)But that is okay, because cops are untouchable and deserve to always be treated like gods.
UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)for ruining these two men's lives, or will the tax payers bail them out??? SMH!
Rex
(65,616 posts)So when do they start serving their 40 year prison term?
UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)retirement in FL perhaps?
Rex
(65,616 posts)They probably sit around the grill and hee haw about all the civilians they fucked over in their career.
People ask, how do evil people sleep at night? Well, obviously just like everyone else.