Joseph Abbitt, a 49 year-old, Winston-Salem state man that has been imprisoned for more than 14 years was released from prison yesterday for a crime that he did not commit, after DNA tests proved that he wasn't the suspect.
Abbitt was convicted June 22, 1995, of two counts of first-degree rape, one count of first-degree burglary, and two counts of first-degree kidnapping for the rape of two teenage girls.
The Forsyth County District Attorney's Office and the N.C. Center on Actual Innocence filed a joint motion to vacate the convictions against Abbitt. During an investigation conducted by several organizations, it was revealed that DNA evidence collected from one of the victims excluded Abbitt as the perpetrator.
Abbitt said he was experiencing "joy and relief, (but) joy more than anything" for his new found freedom. He planned to spend his first night out of jail "with my family and try to find me a pork chop," he said.
Abbitt is applying for an official pardon from Gov. Bev Perdue, which would make him eligible for compensation of $700,000 from the state -- $50,000 for every year he was wrongly imprisoned.
I am ecstatic over Mr. Abbitt's freedom, but highly pissed at the judicial system's mistake. How do you take 14 years of someone's life away over a mistake?? I think this happens more then we know to people of our color and creed. I applaud organizations like the N.C. Center on Actual Innocence, which works diligently to get justice for all. It shouldn't even be a question on whether or not Mr. Abbitt qualifies for the pardon, he should have been granted that upon his release...that's the least that they can do for their major screw up! This is why it is imperative that we all vote, so that we can appoint fair and honest people to dictate our laws and legislations! God Bless Mr. Abbitt and his family!!
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