Wrongly accused man free after 25 years

[flashl]

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Willie Earl Green walked out of a California courtroom as a free man Thursday after serving nearly 25 years in prison for the execution-style murder of a Los Angeles woman, which he insists he never committed.

A Los Angeles judge set the graying 56-year-old free after ruling that the prosecution's star witness, Willie Finley, lied to a jury during key portions of his original testimony. Finley recently recanted his story.

Green, who earned a college degree while at California's San Quentin State Prison, said he was "humbled" by his release.

"Today is a glorious day," he said. "It's a great day. I never gave up on this day. I knew one day this day would come.

CNN

Good luck with your new life Mr. Green.

Although there are stories similar to Mr. Green's that is printed seemingly every other week, this release in Los Angeles to me is big. In that, there are recent cases where it is clear that some LA prosecutors used questionable 'witnesses' and submitted questionable DNA records to obtain prosecutions.

There is and will be countless other "Mr. Greens" as long as number of prosecutions is used as a measurement of success.

[zanne]

1. I'm always astounded that they aren't angry and bitter.

I certainly would be.

[flashl]

6. Anyplace outside of most California prisons is a cause for rejoice. nt

[Selatius]

2. If I got railroaded into prison for 25 years like that, I can't say I would be so happy at the end

I suspect that if I were subjected to the same treatment, I would come out extremely bitter and twisted with hate against a society that destroyed my life.

[flashl]

5. Just guessing, but I would be happy to be released from man-made hell. nt

[bluestateguy]

3. How much money is the state giving him

Money talks and bullshit walks.

It would be an outrage if he has to make a living for the rest of his life by cleaning toilets 40 hours a week.

[flashl]

4. Which is often the case. nt

[varelse]

7. Green, who earned a college degree while at California's San Quentin State Prison

Cleaning toilets, you say? Well, given the state of our economy at this time, that's not going to set him apart much from the other college grads hitting the job market now. :shrug:

Maybe he studied the law, and will make a career out of cleaning up our justice system, instead?