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UglyGreed

(7,661 posts)
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 07:09 AM Nov 2014

Nearly 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 doesn’t even fit what I’m 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 Jackson’s 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

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Nearly 40 years after being convicted in 1975 Ricky Jackson and Wiley Bridgeman are free men. (Original Post) UglyGreed Nov 2014 OP
This kind of situation is one reason I oppose the death penalty. Shrike47 Nov 2014 #1
I agree. UglyGreed Nov 2014 #2
I'm glad they're finally free. NaturalHigh Nov 2014 #3
It must be strange UglyGreed Nov 2014 #4
Should make the evening news but it won't nt. kelliekat44 Nov 2014 #5
Nope just another mistake UglyGreed Nov 2014 #9
'Cleveland police detectives coerced him into testifying' Rex Nov 2014 #6
Will the detectives now serve time UglyGreed Nov 2014 #7
The cops are long gone onto other things by now I bet. Rex Nov 2014 #8
Yeah their sentence is UglyGreed Nov 2014 #10
With a nice pension, such fond memories of destroying innocent peoples lives. Rex Nov 2014 #11
Sad but so true N/T UglyGreed Nov 2014 #12

Shrike47

(6,913 posts)
1. This kind of situation is one reason I oppose the death penalty.
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 07:42 AM
Nov 2014

30+ years seems to me to be more than an adequate penalty in most cases anyway.

UglyGreed

(7,661 posts)
2. I agree.
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 09:34 AM
Nov 2014

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)
3. I'm glad they're finally free.
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 10:12 AM
Nov 2014

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)
4. It must be strange
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 03:38 PM
Nov 2014

for them to be free, I wish them the best of luck and hope they can enjoy the rest of their lives.

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
6. 'Cleveland police detectives coerced him into testifying'
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 05:56 PM
Nov 2014

But that is okay, because cops are untouchable and deserve to always be treated like gods.

UglyGreed

(7,661 posts)
7. Will the detectives now serve time
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 06:06 PM
Nov 2014

for ruining these two men's lives, or will the tax payers bail them out??? SMH!

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
8. The cops are long gone onto other things by now I bet.
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 06:07 PM
Nov 2014

So when do they start serving their 40 year prison term?

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
11. With a nice pension, such fond memories of destroying innocent peoples lives.
Sat Nov 22, 2014, 06:13 PM
Nov 2014

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.

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