GIPExonerees

C: I haven't had anyone sneer away from me because they have been more interested in how I survived being in prison for something I didn't do. The first thing I did when I got out of prison was to do whatever people suggested that I do because I hadn't adapted to the so-called "free world" yet.

R: The first thing I did when I went Steak and Ale but the second thing I did was go to Hooters.

C: My family has always believed in my innocence but have always been bitter because they were not financially able to provide me with adequate representation.

R: Yes, my family always believed. My mother, my sister, my children. They always believed and gave me support because they knew me back then. After 20 years and me still there for something I didn't do and my family seeing the commercials saying "innocent until proven guilty" but I was still there....so they let doubt slip into their minds, except my mother. They asked for me to accept their apology after I was released. My mother passed away a year before I was released but she always believed that I was innocent.

C: A slap in the face. You can't compensate for all the years that I spent in prison. But, on the other hand, where is my security? Because, we are not able to receive social security.

R: They needed to perhaps have more support in place for those like us who have been gone so long and wrongfully convicted. I had to wait for a long time for compensation and for support.

C: I can relate to that. That was not abnormal for him to think that way. I had no animosity against the victim but I was mad.

R: We were both victims. I forgave her but I knew who committed the crime when I was in prison. I forgave him too.

R: I would change somethings like advertising "you're innocent until proven guilty" because you're actually "guilty until proven innocent." I sat 24 years a "guilty" man so how is that commercial right?

C: I would make sure that the District Attorneys do their duty to first thoroughly and completely investigate all cases prior to ANY indictment so that attorneys can have an actual, full and complete opportunity to accurately represent their clients. If they don't investigate what the police give them, then attorneys are not presenting all the evidence.