Willie Stokes, freed from a life sentence after 37 years, was ready to hug his mom and get a corned beef hoagie Tuesday when he walked out of a state prison.
Stokes, 61, of Philadelphia, greeted other family members when freed Tuesday, because his mother was too nervous to come.
"Today is a tremendous day. We're all very thankful," said his lawyer, Michael Diamondstein. "However, it's also a sad day, because it reminds us of how lawless, unfair and unjust Philadelphia law enforcement was for so long."
Willie Stokes Freed From Life Sentence After 37 Years, Ready to Hug His Mom
Stokes was sentenced in a trial influenced by detectives who allegedly offered a witness sex and drugs in 1983 in exchange for false testimony.
So when will his justice come? This happens too damn often. They throw black men in prison who legit did nothing and then manipulate them to confess things they never did or they plant fake evidence on them. I am happy for him but at the same time knowing this man was robbed of 37 of his life, it makes me sick.