North Carolina man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 44 years was cleared and awarded a $25 million

According to the Duke Law School's Wrongful Conviction Clinic, Ronnie Long's $25 million payout is the second-largest wrongful conviction.Photo byPeter Weinberger/The Charlotte Observer/AP

Ronnie Long, wrongfully imprisoned for 44 years in a case of mistaken identity, is set to receive a groundbreaking $25 million settlement, marking one of the largest payouts in a wrongful conviction lawsuit. The Duke Law School’s Wrongful Conviction Clinic confirmed this second-largest wrongful conviction settlement, involving the City of Concord and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Convicted in 1976 by an all-white jury for a rape and burglary he did not commit, Long's innocence was finally acknowledged in 2020. A series of post-trial revelations uncovered glaring police suppression of vital evidence, including semen samples and fingerprints from the crime scene that did not match Long's. US Court of Appeals Judge Stephanie Thacker, in the decision to vacate Long's conviction, highlighted the deliberate withholding of crucial evidence by law enforcement officials.

The settlement, comprising $22 million from the City of Concord and $3 million from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, symbolizes a rare admission of responsibility by the city for the wrongful conviction and unjust imprisonment of Long. During his prolonged incarceration, Long endured the painful loss of his parents, missed significant life events, and sacrificed four decades of his life behind bars—irreversible losses no sum of money can truly remedy.

Jamie Lau, the supervising attorney at the clinic, stressed the irreparable impact of Long's wrongful imprisonment on his life, emphasizing that no amount of compensation can fully restore the time and opportunities stolen from him.

Following his release in August 2020, Long was initially informed that he would receive compensation of $750,000, the maximum allowed under North Carolina law. However, recognizing the inadequacy of this amount in reconciling Long's immense suffering, the recent $25 million settlement marks a monumental step towards rectifying the grave injustice inflicted upon him.

The public apology from the City of Concord and its acknowledgment of responsibility, along with the significant settlement, signify a crucial step in the quest for justice and accountability. James E. Coleman, Jr., the clinic’s director, expressed hope that Concord’s unequivocal apology and acceptance of responsibility might alleviate some of the burdens carried by Long, emphasizing the importance of such accountability in rectifying miscarriages of justice.

For Long, this settlement signifies a chance to rebuild his life. He has expressed his aspirations to move forward, focusing on healing and rebuilding. His dreams include purchasing a home and cherishing precious moments with his loved ones after a painful and unjustifiable loss of nearly five decades.