NC City's $25M Settlement Over Wrongful Conviction

Authored by J. Alex | January 10, 2024

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The city's statement expressed profound regret for the grievous past injustices inflicted upon Mr. Long, acknowledging the profound harm caused not just to him but also to his family, friends, and the broader community. Although recognizing the impossibility of fully restoring what was taken from Mr. Long and his family, the city emphasized their commitment through the settlement to rectify the past wrongs and take responsibility.

At the young age of 21, Long, a young Black man residing in Concord, faced an unjust conviction by an all-white jury in Cabarrus County for burglary and rape in 1976, orchestrated, as claimed by Long's attorneys, by local law enforcement leaders. Despite crucial evidence, such as over 40 fingerprints and undisclosed semen samples, not being shared or mysteriously disappearing, Long's wrongful conviction endured for decades.

However, in August 2020, a federal appeals court granted Long a new hearing, leading swiftly to the vacating of his conviction and his release from prison. Governor Roy Cooper later granted him a full pardon of innocence, signaling a turning point in Long's fight for justice. He received compensation and then filed a lawsuit in federal court in Raleigh, alleging Concord police officers' "extraordinary misconduct" in violating his civil rights, leading to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

The settlement reached saw Long receiving a combined $25 million from the city and the State Bureau of Investigation. The SBI's $3 million contribution acknowledged their role in hiding crucial evidence that proved Long's innocence, as highlighted by his attorneys.

The city of Concord acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the grave errors and willful misconduct by former city employees, which directly contributed to Long's wrongful conviction and incarceration. This acknowledgment and apology, described by Long's legal team as crucial, accompanies the substantial financial compensation, signifying a step towards healing the wounds inflicted by decades of injustice.

Chris Olson, one of Long's lawyers, emphasized the significance of the settlement, illustrating the immense scale of the injustice done to Long. He underscored that the city's apology holds immense value in aiding Long's healing process.

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Ronnie Wallace Long at the Albemarle Correctional Institution in Albemarle, east of Charlotte, N.C.Photo byPeter Weinberger/The Charlotte Observer via AP, File