It was a great relief for Andrew Leander Wilson (62) when he was released from jail after 32-years because the murder conviction was thrown out by a judge. Los Angeles Times reports that he was lodged in the Men’s Central Jail, and was delighted to walk out, a free man. As he reunited with his family, he expressed his happiness at the end of his ordeal and waited for the reality of the moment to sink in.
The facts of the case
Andrew Leander Wilson was convicted of robbery and murder in 1984. He had, reportedly, stabbed to death 21-year-old Christopher Hanson.
However, a prosecutor has admitted that, due to a number of errors, the accused was deprived of his right to a fair trial. A judge has, therefore, thrown out the convictions for robbery and murder.
The district attorney’s office believes that Wilson was involved in the incident but will not refile charges. Loyola Law School’s Project for the Innocent had advocated for Wilson and, their argument was that the evidence clearly exonerates him.
Where does Wilson stand now?
His daughter Catrina Burks lives In Michigan and took a flight to Los Angeles to receive him when he stepped put of the jail. She was a 10-year-old when Andrew Leander Wilson was arrested and is now a 43-year-old with six children.
She admitted that she always believed that her father was innocent and, never imagined that those who make up the system would agree that they had erred. But, in the end, that is what happened, and it paved the way for her father’s release.
Wilson’s wife passed away in 2003. She knew that her husband was innocent but never knew that he would be Set Free, honorably.
He was a happy man as he walked out of jail with his family. Anyone who has to spend 32-years behind bars for a murder he did not commit would become a mental wreck but, Wilson smiled and greeted the crowd waiting to receive him. Students of Loyola Law School were also present – they had been involved in the case and applauded to show their feelings.
When asked about his next course of action, he said he wants to eat a burger and meet up with his 96-year-old mother, Margie Davis, in St. Louis.
Murder is a crime, so is the imprisonment of an individual for half his life on charges of a murder he did not commit. Wilson should leave the memories of the past behind him.
