US Man Wrongfully Imprisoned For 24 Years Has Been Pardoned
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A man who wrongfully spent 24 years in prison for murder has been pardoned.
Dontae Sharpe, from North Carolina, was 19 years old when he was sentenced to life in 1995 for the murder of 33-year-old George Radcliffe during a drug deal a year earlier.
Following his pardon, he is now able to apply for compensation of up to $750,000.
Speaking about the case, governor Roy Cooper said it was time that people like Mr Sharpe got the justice they deserved.
He said: "I have carefully reviewed Dontae Sharpe's case and am granting him a Pardon of Innocence
"Mr Sharpe and others who have been wrongly convicted deserve to have that injustice fully and publicly acknowledged."
Mr Sharpe has always maintained his innocence and refused any offers of a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.
Following his pardon, he said: "I'm still in a haze, kind of. When you're dealing with us human beings, it can go any way, yes and no.
"I didn't know what to expect. I was believing for a pardon."
Adding: "My family's name has been cleared. It's a burden off of my shoulders and my family's shoulders."
And he has pledged to continue his fight for other people who have been wrongly convicted.
He said: "My freedom is still incomplete as long as there's still people going to prison wrongfully, if there's still people in prison wrongfully and there's still people that are waiting on pardons.
"I've been in there and know there are guys that are innocent and know that our system is corrupt and needs to be changed."
Earlier this year, the co-founder of Death Row Records, Michael 'Harry-O' Harris, received a pardon from Donald Trump.
The 59-year-old has been behind bars for 32 years having been convicted of attempted murder and cocaine trafficking.
Snoop Dogg - who signed to his record label in the 90s - reportedly lobbied for his release, which Trump went ahead with despite White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows advising against it, according to the Daily Mail.
At the time, a White House statement said: "Mr Harris has had an exemplary prison record for three decades. He is a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow prisoners how to start and run businesses. He has completed courses towards business and journalism degrees.
"Upon his release, Mr Harris will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with the support of his family."
