In a groundbreaking case of justice finally being served, a Black man from North Carolina has been awarded a record-breaking $25 million settlement after spending 44 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Ronnie Long, now 68 years old, was wrongfully convicted of raping a prominent white woman. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of his legal team, he was exonerated more than three years ago.
A Long-Awaited Settlement
Ronnie Long reached a $22 million settlement in his civil lawsuit with the city of Concord, while the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation settled for $3 million. This monumental settlement is the second-largest ever recorded in a wrongful conviction case. The city of Concord also issued a public apology to Long, expressing deep remorse for the immense harm caused to him, his family, friends, and the community.
Image: Ronnie Long (Source: WCNC Charlotte)
A Step Towards Justice
While the settlement cannot truly compensate for all the years of lost freedom and the hardships endured, it provides some financial security for Ronnie Long’s future. The historic settlement represents a significant step forward, though true justice is yet to be found. Jamie Lau, Long’s criminal attorney, explains, “No amount of money will ever compensate Ronnie for all that he lost, but this is a big step forward for him.”
Seeking Accountability
Long’s legal team, led by civil attorneys Sonya Pfeiffer and Chris Olson, emphasized that a public apology was a central part of their demands. The city of Concord acknowledged the injustice inflicted upon Ronnie Long, admitting that he wrongfully served 44 years, 3 months, and 17 days in prison for a crime he did not commit. Moreover, the city pledged to learn valuable lessons from this case to prevent such injustices from happening again in the future.
Fighting for Exonerees
Ronnie Long’s case has become a symbol of the flaws within the criminal justice system. His attorneys hope that this record settlement can serve as a gold standard for all similar cases, providing a benchmark for exonerees seeking justice. Long himself recognizes the position of power he now holds and aims to use it as an example for others. He has already used part of his settlement to fuel his commitment to criminal justice reform.
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