In cellphone video shot by his attorney Monday night, newly released prisoner Kenneth Purdy embraced family and friends for the first time in 20 years.
“It was a great moment,” said Matthew McClain, Purdy’s attorney.
But a day and a half into freedom, Purdy was re-incarcerated after the Department of Corrections determined his release date was actually miscalculated by at least 6 1/2 years.
“It was a whirlwind and, truly, an injustice in our mind,” said McClain.
McClain said Purdy, once sentenced to life, qualified for resentencing when questions arose about his conviction in a 1995 murder, robbery and carjacking when he was 17 years old.
Purdy’s rehabilitative efforts behind bars speak volumes about what kind of person he can be in society, Purdy said.
“He’s a completely changed person, and nobody disagrees with that, and the court found it as well,” said McClain.
Documents show the victim’s mother told the court she doesn’t believe Purdy is the person who shot her son and should be released.
Channel 9 contacted the State Attorney’s Office and was told in an email it “has an obligation to contact the DOC” and that it was a “grave injustice” to release Purdy sooner when there was additional time to be served.
Until a judge revisits the case in January, it’s not the only fight for Purdy’s legal team.
“We want to fix the problem for Mr. Purdy, and we want to fix the problem for other individuals down the road as well,” said McClain.
The State Attorney's Office said the Department of Corrections will have to confirm if the mistake came from a clerical error or misinterpretation of the judge's order.
