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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThird Ohio Man Wrongly Accused of 1975 Murder Exonerated
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/third-ohio-man-wrongly-accused-1975-murder-exonerated-n264821?hootPostID=54cd944d89348fdce98ad4b3e568e0a2An Ohio man who spent 27 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit was brought to tears Tuesday when a judge dropped all charges against him. Kwame Ajamu, 56, was the last of three men exonerated in the 1975 robbery and murder of a Cleveland-area money order salesman.
"I'm so happy today that this battle has come to an end," said Ajamu, formerly known as Ronnie Bridgeman, as he wept and thanked his attorneys and wife before hugging the judge and the prosecutor.
The two other accused, Ajamu's brother, Wiley Bridgeman, 60, and Ricky Jackson, 57, were released from prison last month. The men won their freedom after a witness last year recanted his testimony from the trial, saying he was coerced by detectives at the time. Ajamu was originally sentenced to death, but it was vacated because of a paperwork error. He later earned parole in 2003.
These 3 guys were convicted on the testimony of 1 person. There was no physical evidence linking them to the crime. They spent a lifetime in jail. So glad they are out now, but how did it even get this far?? He was sentenced to death!! So horrible and tragic in so many ways.
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)You are just plain dead wrong (pun intended). There are many more like this poor man, and many innocents have been killed. Even one "wrongful" death means the death penalty is not worth it for our society.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)One innocent life executed is one too many. There would have been three in this case had they not received exoneration. I'm happy they have, but not all judges are as fair as this one clearly was, and too many innocent lives are at stake.
Life in prison without the possibility of parole...that should be sufficient punishment yet allow the innocent time to get a fair trial (which is virtually non-existent if you don't have the mega-bucks to pay for it).
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Of course the prosecutors coerced the other guy...they can be as dishonest as cops.
derby378
(30,252 posts)I hope he cleans them out for restitution. Half a million per year wrongfully incarcerated sounds like a good start.