The idea of spending years in prison is incomprehensible to most people and even more so for a crime they didn’t commit. But it’s a reality that hundreds can not only comprehend, but have actually lived.
In the last 25 years, the Innocence Project has worked to help free more than 300 wrongfully convicted people, including their most recent client: Malcolm Alexander.
Twitter
In 1980, the 21-year-old was sentenced to life in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. The Innocence Project took his case in 1996 and got his conviction overturned last month, based largely on DNA evidence.
They sited shoddy work by prosecutors saying, “His paid lawyer – who was subsequently disbarred after complaints of neglect and abandonment were filed against him in connection with dozens of other cases – failed in his most basic duties to present a defense.”
Facebook
After nearly four decades in prison, Malcolm walked out of Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola on January 30 a free man. The next day, his furry cellmate joined him, experiencing freedom for the first time in her short life.
Facebook
Innocence, a black Lab puppy, was born last spring and prison officials allowed Malcolm to raise and keep her as a reward for good behavior. Inn was born at Angola and, until January 31, had never experienced life on the outside.
“We going to the park and we’re going to chase birds – she likes to chase birds,”Malcolm said when asked about their plans on Inn’s first day of freedom.
Facebook
Malcolm’s son was just two years old when his father went to prison, but he’s now grown with a family of his own. For now, Malcolm and Inn are living with them until they can get a place of their own.
Facebook
In the meantime, they’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on Razoo so he can open an artisanal booth in New Orleans. There, he hopes to sell handcrafted items he makes, using the carpentry, woodworking, and jewelry-making skills he learned during his time in prison.
The bitterness he felt when he was first convicted has dissipated over the years, and Malcolm, now 58, is focused on enjoying his freedom and “what life we have left.”
Facebook
“Let what happened be gone, and let’s move on,”he said. “Simple. I’m surrounded by love.”
Congratulations to Malcolm for gaining his freedom, and to the Innocence Project for doing their due diligence. Watch Malcolm reunite with Inn in the touching video below and share to spread happiness that justice prevailed and to wish these two many years of happiness!
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.