Ronnie Wallace Long, an African American man, has been granted a $25 million settlement following 44 years of wrongful imprisonment in North Carolina for a crime he did not commit.
In 1976, Long, now 68, was convicted by an all-white jury for the rape and burglary of a white woman, leading to two life sentences. Allegations arose that the jury was specifically chosen by local law enforcement leaders. In August 2020, a federal appeals court ordered a new hearing, ultimately overturning Long's conviction.
Governor Roy Cooper fully pardoned and released Long in the same year. Subsequently, in 2021, Long filed a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina and the city of Concord.
The $25 million settlement, with $22 million to be paid by the local government, includes a formal apology from the city of Concord, expressing deep regret for its role in Long's wrongful imprisonment.
The city's statement, as reported by The Independent, conveyed profound remorse for the past wrongs that caused significant harm to Long, his family, friends, and the community. While acknowledging that no measure could fully restore what was taken from Long and his family, the agreement is presented as an effort to rectify past injustices and assume responsibility.
Long's legal battle received long-standing support from a wrongful forensic clinic at Duke University's law school. His attorneys disclosed that crucial evidence, such as over 40 fingerprints not matching Long's and undisclosed semen samples, was never shared with the defense and later went missing.
Originally granted $750,000 by a state commission, Long pursued justice further by filing a lawsuit in federal court in Raleigh. He accused Concord police officers of "extraordinary misconduct" leading to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment, thus violating his civil rights. The State Bureau of Investigation admitted its role in concealing evidence proving Long's innocence.
While heralding the monetary settlement as one of the largest in wrongful conviction cases nationwide, Long's attorneys underscored the importance of the city's apology. Chris Olson, one of Long's lawyers, emphasized that the result reflects the enormity of injustice in Long's case, with the apology playing a crucial role in aiding Long's healing process.
