Raleigh: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Friday forgive a man who spent 24 years behind the bar for murder, he had long said he was not committed.
Pardon Innocence Cooper allows Mekae Sharpe to file compensation of up to $ 750,000 for its wrong belief.
“ Mr.
Sharpe and other people are incorrectly punished to have fully recognized injustice and the public, ‘The governor said in a statement that he had forgiven the man after a careful review.
In 1995, Sharpe was given a life sentence at the age of 19 years for the first level of George Radclifffffe, who was accused of killing a year earlier during the drug deal.
Sharpe maintained his innocence throughout and said in the 2019 interview that his faith and knowledge he innocent guiding his rejection to accept a lighter punishment with a guilty exchange.
At the virtual news conference, Friday just one hour after Cooper’s announcement, Sharpe said he did not believe when his lawyer called him news.
He said he was still processing him and also think of those who had been taken to the streets and held the vigil in his name.
“ I’m still in the form of fog, “Sharpe said.
“ When you deal with US people, it can run in any way, yes and no.
I don’t know what to expect.
I believe for forgiveness.
“The government case against Sharpe partly depends on the testimony of a 15-year-old girl at the time who claimed she saw Sharpe killing Radcliffe but then returned at that time and said she was not present at that time.
from shooting.
He then said his claim was made, based on what investigators told him.
Sharpe was not successful in a repetitive effort for a new trial until the former Medical Examiner of the State testified that the theory of the State Shooting was not possible medically or scientifically.
A judge then ordered more evidence to be heard.
Sharpe was released from prison in August 2019 after the prosecutor said the state would not pursue reservations.
Naacp has long driven Sharpe’s release for years and urged Cooper to issue innnting innocacy.
In recent months, racial judicial groups have demanded Governor Grant Sharpe with the clemency needed to file compensation for his wrong belief.
They held Vigils in front of Cooper State residence in downtown Raleigh for several weeks.
Rev.
Anthony Spearman, President North Carolina Naacp, is among those who stand outside the governor’s house encouraging for forgiveness.
“ This should have happened for a long time, “he said.
Sharpe thanked Cooper but called the criminal justice system he considered `corrupt.
“He said he planned to celebrate Friday night with his family and will continue to suppress other inmates to receive justice.” My freedom is still incomplete as long as there are people who go wrongly, if there are still people in prison wrong and there are still people Waiting in forgiveness, “he said.