A decade ago, a beaming Clarence Harrison took his first steps of freedom on a warm summer day after being wrongly imprisoned for 17 years.
Through DNA testing, the Georgia Innocence Project proved that Harrison, serving a life sentence for rape, kidnapping and robbery, was innocent. Harrison became the project’s first exoneree in August 2004.
To celebrate 10 years of freedom, the Georgia Innocence Project is throwing a party with a few of Harrison's favorite things — barbecue, live music and dancing. The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Solarium in Decatur. Tickets are $55 and proceeds will go to GIP. For tickets, go to For information about GIP, go to georgiainnocenceproject.org.
To read more, go to http://www.myajc.com/news/lifestyles/man-wrongly-imprisoned-celebrates-10-years-of-free/ng5bB/
And To read an in-depth feature about Harrison's imprisonment and life after his release, go to http://www.myajc.com/news/news/exonerated/nfCNK/#90c8ed84.3550477.735466
While Harrison’s freedom has been fraught with setbacks and challenges, including serious financial woes, he was upbeat during a recent phone interview.
“It’s been tough, but I don’t want to complain,” said Harrison, 54, of Marietta. “I am still free.”
Since Harrison’s release, the organization has freed four more prisoners in Georgia. It has received more than 6,000 letters from prisoners seeking help and has accepted 63 clients.
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