Man Set Free After 25 Years in Prison
Willie Earl Green walked out of a California courtroom as a free man Thursday (March 21, 2008) 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.
Witness Recants
Free After 25 Years
National Registry of Exonerations
"I never asked for mercy. I only asked for justice to be served, and it was served today."Green had been serving 33 years to life for the murder, burglary and robbery of Denise "Dee Dee" Walker, 25, at a Los Angeles crack house in 1983.
Based on Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus' ruling, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Hyman Sisman told the court, his office would not pursue a new trial.
After his release, Green and his wife embraced.
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