Ryan Matthews from Texas was just 17-years old when he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He later spent 5 years on death row, but was later exonerated and released. Now at 39-years old, he is celebrating being a college graduate.
Here’s what happened:
In April 1997, Matthews was believed to be the culprit in fatally shooting a 43-year old businessman, who is white.
Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence and there was really no evidence linking him to the crime. But he was still found guilty by 11 white jurors and 1 black juror. He was sentenced to death at the age of 19.
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Activists and his family fought for his freedom. DNA evidence eventually proved his innocence and the real killer finally confessed. After 5 years on death row, he was exonerated and released in 2004.
“All these years ago when I first came home, a reporter asked me what I wanted to do, and I told them I wanted to go to school,” Matthews told WFAA.
Source: Wrongly Convicted Man Graduates From College After 5 Years on Death Row
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