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'God is so good' says man freed after 5 decades in prison
Judge throws out rape conviction
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Wilbert Jones, second left, hugs family members and attorneys as he leaves East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday. Left is sister-in law Wilda Jones, right is brother Plem Jones, and second right is niece Wajeedah Jones. - photo by Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, La. — A 65-year-old man who was arrested at 19 and sentenced to life without parole walked out of prison on Wednesday, saying "God is so good" after his rape conviction was overturned by a judge.Authorities withheld evidence that could have exonerated Wilbert Jones decades ago and their case against him was "weak at best," State District Judge Richard Anderson said."Freedom. After more than 45 years and ten months. That's going through my mind," Jones said as he hugged his brother, Plem Jones, and other relatives outside the gates of the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.Jones also thanked his legal team at the Innocence Project New Orleans, saying "without them, this wouldn't be possible."Doing all that time was "very difficult," Jones said, but he told reporters he holds no resentment."I forgave.
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