Judge frees Missouri convict who wasn't sent to prison for 13 years due to clerical error (Video)
Posted by: Jon Ben-Mayor on 05/07/2014 09:26 AM [ Comments ]
Yes, you did read that headline right. A man in Missouri was convicted of robbery 13 years ago; he was told to wait for a notice which would indicate when and where he was to report to prison. He waited, got married, divorced, re-married and started several construction businesses...All the while waiting. He even contacted his attorney about the missing prison orders.
According to FoxNews, Cornealious "Mike" Anderson was 23 when he was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in the robbery of a fast-food restaurant's assistant manager. He told The Associated Press last month that he waited, and even asked about going to prison, but the order never came.
Anderson, 37, had never been convicted of a serious crime before the robbery. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the holdup, then told to wait for orders that would specify when and where he was to report to prison. But the orders never came. Anderson suspected that his case had been overlooked and asked his former attorney what to do.
The original sentence was supposed to end in July 2013, it was only then that officials realized the error. He was promptly notified by 8 US Marshals whom arrived at his home to take him into custody. Anderson has been held since the discovery of the error.
This week, a judge ordered the state to set him free, ending the nightmare. The judge noted that Anderson has not been in trouble since the conviction.
As the judge announced his decision, about 10 of Anderson's relatives broke out in sobs and cried. Some hugged and thanked God.
The wheels of justice really do turn slow.
Anderson, 37, had never been convicted of a serious crime before the robbery. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the holdup, then told to wait for orders that would specify when and where he was to report to prison. But the orders never came. Anderson suspected that his case had been overlooked and asked his former attorney what to do.
The original sentence was supposed to end in July 2013, it was only then that officials realized the error. He was promptly notified by 8 US Marshals whom arrived at his home to take him into custody. Anderson has been held since the discovery of the error.
This week, a judge ordered the state to set him free, ending the nightmare. The judge noted that Anderson has not been in trouble since the conviction.
As the judge announced his decision, about 10 of Anderson's relatives broke out in sobs and cried. Some hugged and thanked God.
The wheels of justice really do turn slow.
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