North Carolina man released from prison after 44 years behind bars for wrongful conviction

64-year-old Ronnie Long, who has always said he was innocent of raping a woman in 1976, was suddenly released late last week after the state of North Carolina admitted it could no longer defend the case and asked a court to vacate his convictions. Only on "CBS This Morning," Erin Moriarty spoke to Ronnie Long in his first sit-down interview since his release.

[@mori-7090]

The police who withheld evidence should 100% be punished. I can't even imagine the despair you'd feel from being in such a situation. Imagine the vast majority of the memories you've built your entire life are being in prison for something you didn't do.

[@Chris-cx7zk]

You might have to dig those cops out of the ground, but I don't think they'll be able to feel any punishment whatsoever.

[@RelentlesslyBrave]

This is just sad. Wrongful convictions happen way more often than most realize. The justice system is beyond flawed.

[@ndeamonk24]

The fact they aren't going to pursue and arrest those involved ensures this will happen again

[@333anders6]

preach

[@mdeck87]

Say dat brotha

[@retiredstalker]

America is deeply rooted in racism but thanks to modern echnology like DNA and holding law enforcement accountable, it wouldn't happen to this extent.

[@jonnytlong]

@@retiredstalker it’s so rare for law enforcement to be held accountable for anything

[@MrSadflkja]

From the age of 20-64. His adult life was basically taken away.

[@jetshark970shark4]

What do you mean basically. IT WAS TAKEN AWAY!!!

[@schawnettarobinson8584]

His whole adult life was GONE...

[@keithdwill90]

They don’t mind paying him because the revenue generated from keeping him in prison all these years doesn’t come close to what they’ll possibly pay out..

[@najopatrin2284]

Could we imagine how many African Americans still remain in Prison innocently and being wrongly convicted.by US Justice Department.

[@NaturallyGifted77]

A lot!

[@MississippiGirl0013]

More than will ever know,... this world is still prejudice! Racism is still being taught, this all boiled down to him being black no matter what some may say. And for all they know the person that did it could have been white but they're so low down and evil and probably knew it and stuck it on him. But people don't realize KARMA is real and HELL is to! And from back then I know it has to be a lot of those people still burning from how low down and dirty they was to our people.

[@aaronlee5073]

May 1976…I was a year old. This man was locked up my entire life for a crime he didn’t commit. I can’t imagine

[@raymondsolano1780]

This state needs to pay this man for the next 44 years of his life. The DA needs to be placed in prison and license barred.

[@archmichael3698]

No amount of money can buy time. The system needs to change.

[@raymondsolano1780]

Arch Michael agreed, but after 40 years it is hard to integrate back into society. I did seven years and came out with no education and hard to find a job. He deserves to get paid for all the lost time so I’m he can get on his feet. This has been a issue for the last two hundred or more years and should stop but won’t anytime soon.

[@archmichael3698]

@@raymondsolano1780 I agree.

[@Wooley689]

Don't tell this man not to be angry, he has every right to be angry and he needs justice. His release is only a single step for his justice.

[@giovanniblanco4345]

44 years taken away. What a tragedy

[@sharonisaac445]

40yrs is a lifetime, what a Shame.!!!! God Bless this man, and let him have peace, happiness, good health, and Prosperity. The state of North Carolina owes him big time.( no pun intended).

[@marcocolo2954]

Money ain’t enough

[@MrPaultopp]

Marco Colo ...... what they gonna do then ?

[@mdeck87]

@@MrPaultopp get it back in Blood and I'm not even trying to be funny 🙄

[@c.r701]

How would that hidden evidence not have changed the outcome. It would have proved that this man was innocent to begin with his adult life was taken away from him.

[@cindybr62]

However, they are only giving this man $750,000 for 40 years of wrongful conviction!

[@joenavanodo3780]

$361.00 / week

[@demikpre]

crazy part is, i think that settlement will be taxed too

[@UrbanSipfly]

Man, if that kind of story doesn't scare the jam out of your jelly - being accused of a crime that one did not commit, and having to spend 1 second in prison for it - even 44 years!!

[@toneytone7497]

The system really failed this man

[@phillipc.nelson9670]

I'm so ecstatic he was cleared of all charges. Yet, so many innocent people are serving time behind bars for unspeakable crimes they insist they had nothing to do with. I also believe the Death Penalty should be abolished. Imagine when the Justice System executes someone and months later after reviewing the case, they realize they've executed the wrong person.

[@tooblessed573]

Sickening! Some heads should roll AND they owe this man Millions

[@mrfixit7047]

this is how I see it. All of the people who help convict him wrongfully are all getting a pension. if you total all of their pensions together for the month, then that is how much he should get. He or his family should get it for the next 88 years. edit: he should be tax exempt he paid all his debts

[@xaviers5188]

They're right it is great to see an innocent man walk out of prison but it's even better to not have been falsely accused n put there to Begin with

[@JUGGERNAUT____]

Tear jerker. Enjoy your freedom my brother.

[@delroyparkes9540]

How can anyone replace 44 years innocent behind Bars.

[@violetapadron1065]

He needs to get paid for all that time

[@333anders6]

1million for each year. because DA committed a crime. it was wrongful unjust, criminal and deliberate, not just wrongful. wrongful implies ooops we made a dreadful mistake. set a precedent! he needs to get paid for real to where his whole blood line now and in the future does not ever have to worry about cash.

[@kkid2747]

Yea

[@kayemoore4973]

Praise God. Keep fighting Ronnie... even though you're out...they still owe you!

[@Joeyriot473]

I don’t get it why would they want an innocent man in jail

[@leobrad2199]

"Failed" him? I don't think "failed" is a strong enough word to describe what the State did to him. I don't think that word exists.

[@connectionoflivesandinterests]

This is Beyond SAD & WRONG that someone could Do Most of their life in prison for something they didn't do!!! They need to be REWARDED Enough money to live an extragent life for themselves, the family & friends!!! It's a CRIME to take a life away by putting them in prison when they are Innocent!!! MAKES ME SOOOOOO SICK!!!

[@marcocolo2954]

Money ain’t enough

[@connectionoflivesandinterests]

@@marcocolo2954 I agree, but nothing is.... Time cannot be brought back. 💔💔💔

[@333anders6]

1million for each year. because DA committed a crime. it was wrongful unjust, criminal and deliberate, not just wrongful. wrongful implies ooops we made a dreadful mistake. set a precedent! he needs to get paid for real to where his whole blood line now and in the future does not ever have to worry about cash.

[@Jrcoaca]

Guilty until proven innocence is so obvious by the phrase “could no longer defend the case”.

[@practicaldeen5333]

damn...I have so much to say but I am lost for words. How many more stories like this through out this country? smdh...

[@GaasubaMeskhenet]

Release all non violent prisoners immediately Abolish solitary confinement Abolish private prisons

[@healing4thysoulministries453]

Thank God for all who helped in his release. Blessings to all of them. Shame on all who took part of this false imprisonment. May God have mercy on your life because one day before God you will have to answer. True and just judgment is coming.

[@saintonerism]

I truly hope that Mr. Long files corruption charges for every single corrupt official that was responsible for locking him up. They need to be held accountable. From the police who falsely arrested him, to the DA that lied about evidence to the judge that sentenced him. They need to spend 44 years in jail!!!!

[@elijahduran1227]

So sad

[@erichighsmith7299]

No amount of money paid to him will bring back the years he missed, with that said he needs to have a very large payout...

[@luvitluvitbaby]

Yep he’s set to be compensated a stinkin $750000 for 44 years in prison wrongfully. 🙄

[@luvitluvitbaby]

And he won’t even see a good portion of that because of lawyer fees....smh

[@erichighsmith7299]

@@luvitluvitbaby yes, it’s sad they can take up to 1/3 I think.

[@perryholmes8652]

They owe this man too much. There has to be repercussions for this.

[@TaraInman2023]

oh no i feel like there is fighting to do, heelllo where are these people who didnt do what they were PAID to do! these people need to pay for his LIFE!! WTH

[@herbalife4220]

OMG, GOD BLESS YOU ALL THE BEST

[@Cripplewalker]

The state owes this man millions on top of millions of dollars! Bar none!

[@nenew1330]

I support this man's calling for Real Monetary Justice!!!

[@seand67]

So sad.....whole life lost. I hope he can receive proper compensation

[@zat0076]

respect to that decent lady that he married as a wrongfully convicted ....

[@Igniting-Moments]

Wow like a million respect 😍😍😍😍

[@artariusjackson6960]

How is someone not facing criminal charges

[@Terrence90.]

This is so common. Here in Mississippi I knew a few guys who was serving long sentences and was innocent. Would cry about it saying that would always plead not guilty. It’s more common than one knows. Especially here in Mississippi

[@anthonychew9691]

Makes me feel sick, ask yourself.....why did it take 44yrs if the evidence was just sittin' there in some file?' 'Cause the evil people who did this thought....we'll take the best years of your life first, then let you go, Nothing's changed in 150 years, all the best Ronnie.

[@girlnextdoor7]

HOW. IS. THIS. POSSIBLE.?!?! Poor man...

[@MrPaultopp]

oliver .....it’s always possible where there’s corruption ....

[@johnvallery5539]

Well what kinda defense team he had ?? Shouldn’t they have requested all of the evidence??

[@CatherineSTodd]

I lived in Durham NC for many years, and racism is horrendous there as it is in many places in NC. Broke my heart every day and there was little I could do but be one "white person" who tried to right the wrongs, and show not all white people are the same. I feel for this man. TEARS.

[@TaylorBlack420]

There's a lot you can do but if you just ignore it you are just as guilty

[@daviddobson8933]

Catching up will be hard to do but do what you can live the good life. My God bless you.

[@Doors067]

If you cant do the crime, dont live in carolina

[@clos7629]

Ok trump let's see if u pardon this poor innocent man, since u good to do it for others. This poor man life was taken away from him. No amount of money will bring it back.

[@chriswalker7327]

Evil in the hearts of men

[@jermainesmith7649]

That’s his wife 😂 This guy is something else

[@elijahwilliams8878]

Right that woman look 25

[@nannymcphee222]

Well.... It is interesting to me that he would hook up with a white woman when he lost 44 years of his life accused of raping/murdering a white woman!!! I personally would not go there. 😬

[@jermainesmith7649]

@@elijahwilliams8878 I ain’t talking about the looks

[@jermainesmith7649]

@@nannymcphee222 Hopefully it doesn’t take another 44 for him to learn 🙏

[@nannymcphee222]

@@jermainesmith7649 🙏, we will see what happens. Still smh at his choice though.... Ppl are probably saying he is guilty of what he was charged with because he obviously desires white women.

[@OOTD_]

The crazy thing about it is that this can happen to any black man no matter how successful you are.

[@bigtexas7580]

*4:28** The idiot dude reporter's response was gross, I can tell he's the type who sat in the jury 44 years ago and helped to wrongfully send this man to jail.*

[@VB-fo1oc]

This is why I cannot remain silent

[@thepinksuitguy9975]

the judge and everyone else who were involved in this man's case must be caged for life!

[@gkr2424]

Somebody needs to go to jail over this BS,

[@heaven7459]

Can he sue the cops who withheld the evidence?

[@noahkinsey9750]

KJVA Bible. Isaiah 42:22 [22]But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. AlPTTMH

[@peterfrancis9437]

This is unbelievable

[@joblo2299]

Hiding results should be illegal

[@abiliocosta8476]

Agora imaginem se tivesse sido uma condenação á morte! Não haveria retorno. Por estas e por outras eu sou contra a pena de morte. . . 🇵🇹

[@umaguriaveraz2834]

Eu sou a favor, somente em casos em que não há dúvidas nenhumas quanto ao culpado.

[@SpiderMan-df9zf]

This is sooo wrong in every level!

[@markjones354]

How is this justified please tel me

[@lefdp515zfr6]

He has alot of catching up to do? You can never catch up lost time.

[@Matthew-n3c2c]

Can anyone tell me why the district attorney would rather say he can leave prison now with the charges dropped but the fact that the police and district attorney held evidence that could prove him inasent when the first time he was at court when he first got arrested wouldn't matter.

[@engineered-mind]

Sad

[@debbiesmithmcconnell9889]

He Needs to write a Book and Possibly Do a 🍿 movie

[@sheskates6551]

This is too common

[@jv-sc1fs]

This is crazy

[@drevil3606]

Poor guy sending love n prayers

[@moemoes5989]

When you lie or omitt, as a legal person of the state, you should pay the fines and if your are dead then your wrong doing should passed down to your kids your kids, grandkids or close friends. Only this will curve the anyone from deliberate wrong doings.

[@joycedugas4550]

So Sad 😭!!

[@charleneadams4659]

God will set free more innocent men that wrongly convicted. It has been revealed in prayer 2019. By many prayer warriors of God

[@SD-ts7eb]

44 years gone 💔

[@lm406]

Sick of this

[@Nish555]

All these vindications coming to light, I wonder how many innocent people have died in prison and how man innocent people are prison now🤔

[@maxcassidy4527]

there are many others in prisons with the same predicament....... they need to right the wrongs ....

[@johnsteward8311]

I got a cousin that's in South Carolina State prison. He's been framed and convicted. All he needs is the weapon tested in his case and nobody wants to help him with it. He's been locked up for 18yrs

[@ttaylor70ify]

It wouldn’t have changed the verdict……. WTF!!! how can they say that

[@thebrainie6596]

Bless Jamie amd his team

[@islandgirl42]

Now they need to put them women to do 44 years. It is a crime to lied and putting a innocent man in prison.

[@faliciarisaac1428]

Congratulations Mr. Long...I praise God for your innocents and freedom. Glory to God. Amen

[@gloriapenrose6048]

It doesn’t give him his life back

[@natoshiapurnell5652]

This is horrible. Thanks AMERICA

[@steviestuckes7140]

ALL MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU RONNIE LONG

[@lillianenglish4211]

It's always black men who are wrongly convicted ! But we will someday meet our heavenly father and he'll be the one who will give out final judgments to all and it won't be by the color of our skin .

[@davehdrussell7730]

44 f--king years man

[@waynerogers2007]

Two Justice systems in America. Make no mistake about it.

[@sirenx.sinz.]

Archie Williams went through the same kind of thing

[@lindapamponette482]

He needs 100 billion$. Oppression to the highest! May GOD GRANT him a forgiving heart. Vengeance is for GOD...

[@XD152awesomeness]

This is disgraceful. This is infuriating. It’s good he’s a free man, but it’s a crime he wasn’t always so. The state kidnapped a man, stole his life.

[@forced7282]

the pd should get dufunded of everything

[@matthewholmes5285]

There's been so many people wrongfully convicted who were later released. but the one thing I've noticed, not in one single case did the state ever pick back up the case to find who really committed the crime. They just let it go! One person wrongfully convicted, one criminal gets a free pass!

[@ms.traycee2947]

It shouldn't have took 44yrs and the parties that were involved in this man's case should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law somebody please start this man a go fund me account cuz he damn sure deserve it

[@staciehorton8149]

Just a darn shame. All of our lives we have had to fight

[@ms.traycee2947]

These ppl ain't just started doing that but God 👀 all no evil deed will be unpunished those 💩🐷😈

[@NaturallyGifted77]

I think it is going to be more stories like this in the future

[@sandramoore5769]

Freedom thank Almighty God 🙏

[@akilsomething]

These 🍘 😠😠😠😠😠