NewsHour

Ricky: Good question. At first, I did - many years ago I did, then I didn’t, and now I do again. It’s complicated!

Ricky here: I think most inmates don't really care, but since they are mostly guilty, they probably assume everybody else is. As for me, most people knew my case from news media and gave me a favorable response and showed support; especially when I was being released.

Sean here: There are people who are bitter about being locked up, and there are others who see potential exonerations as opportunities to snitch to get a deal so they can get out. We did have that problem in Ricky's case, and every other case where the inmates see media that indicates a fellow prisoner is about to go free. It adds to the burden of the work.

Ricky: I did gobble down a steak, filet mignon. French fries and a cold beer.

Sean: Ricky has not been compensated; he has a team of lawyers working on that. Barry Scheck has taken his case, so stay tuned!

Ricky: When the state offers no compensation, we are essentially on our own. We have to find our own way and so for me it has been trying to promote my book Vivid Expressions available on Amazon. I'm now trying to speak for a fee to share my story and try to keep an income stream coming. Ultimately I hope to become a playwright and film maker.

Sean: The only way for a non-DNA exoneree to get compensated in Missouri is to find a bad actor who is not immune from law suit, hire a lawyer and sue. Success is rare. Most get nothing.