52 Years in Prison - Wrongfully Convicted
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My name is Charles O’Berry, I was recently released from prison on April 21, 2021 after serving 52 years for a crime that I did not commit.
This GoFundMe is an urgently needed means to acquire vital resources to become self-supportive; after having been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 52 years minus 22 days, for a crime that I did not commit.
In 1969, I being an African American during the Civil Rights era was 21 years of age at the time of my arrest (May 13, 1969). I would have my 22nd birthday in November of that same year. I witnessed the July 1969 moon landing from behind bars - continuously confined from May 13, 1969 through April 21, 2021. Again, for a crime that I did not commit.
On May 13th, 1969 I was arrested and charged with an alleged sexual offense without any physical evidence linking me to the crime. Furthermore, without any physical evidence to indicate that a crime had even taken place. Despite me entering a plea of "Not Guilty", the trial jury rendered an unconstitutional verdict of guilt. I have legal documentation substantiating this judicial travesty.
I was subsequently sentenced to 50 years for count 1 and 100 years for count 2. Sentences were to run consecutively. Throughout serving the latter 38 years of the sentencing, I was confronted on numerous occasions and told that: "If I admitted guilt and signed a confession, I'd be released early on parole." But each time, I rejected the offer. As a result I served the complete 150 year sentence. Thank God I was blessed to complete the 150 years early via extra added earned days of gain time (98 years worth) for good conduct and above satisfactory work performance - 52 years served plus the 98 years of extra earned gain time equaled 150 years.
By maintaining my innocence, I was 73 years old when I was released on April 21, 2021.
I'm told I have a story worthy of being shared in a book and I would like to share it. However, being released back into an all new highly technological mainstream society presents challenges to navigate: without a work history, I'm denied social security benefits; not owning and unable to afford reliable transportation; plus presently, I'm residing in a rural area that does not have access to public transportation. I've been unable to successfully search out and obtain adequate employment and I want to be self-supportive.
Additionally, to delineate an accurate non-fictional account of my story, I need to acquire a complete copy of my 1969 original trial transcript which I plan to use as my guide to develop the story's truth.
The trial's transcript consists of more than 600 pages alone. During my most recent contact with the clerk of District Court, I was told that a certified copy of the transcripts will cost $2.00 per page.
I also need to acquire numerous other legal documents located in the State Attorney's office in reference to the 1969 case.
My dream is to exonerate myself, my goal is to become self-supportive and my mission is to be able to be a vessel and help others as well.
This GoFundMe is an urgently needed means to acquire vital resources to become self-supportive; after having been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 52 years minus 22 days, for a crime that I did not commit.
In 1969, I being an African American during the Civil Rights era was 21 years of age at the time of my arrest (May 13, 1969). I would have my 22nd birthday in November of that same year. I witnessed the July 1969 moon landing from behind bars - continuously confined from May 13, 1969 through April 21, 2021. Again, for a crime that I did not commit.
On May 13th, 1969 I was arrested and charged with an alleged sexual offense without any physical evidence linking me to the crime. Furthermore, without any physical evidence to indicate that a crime had even taken place. Despite me entering a plea of "Not Guilty", the trial jury rendered an unconstitutional verdict of guilt. I have legal documentation substantiating this judicial travesty.
I was subsequently sentenced to 50 years for count 1 and 100 years for count 2. Sentences were to run consecutively. Throughout serving the latter 38 years of the sentencing, I was confronted on numerous occasions and told that: "If I admitted guilt and signed a confession, I'd be released early on parole." But each time, I rejected the offer. As a result I served the complete 150 year sentence. Thank God I was blessed to complete the 150 years early via extra added earned days of gain time (98 years worth) for good conduct and above satisfactory work performance - 52 years served plus the 98 years of extra earned gain time equaled 150 years.
By maintaining my innocence, I was 73 years old when I was released on April 21, 2021.
I'm told I have a story worthy of being shared in a book and I would like to share it. However, being released back into an all new highly technological mainstream society presents challenges to navigate: without a work history, I'm denied social security benefits; not owning and unable to afford reliable transportation; plus presently, I'm residing in a rural area that does not have access to public transportation. I've been unable to successfully search out and obtain adequate employment and I want to be self-supportive.
Additionally, to delineate an accurate non-fictional account of my story, I need to acquire a complete copy of my 1969 original trial transcript which I plan to use as my guide to develop the story's truth.
The trial's transcript consists of more than 600 pages alone. During my most recent contact with the clerk of District Court, I was told that a certified copy of the transcripts will cost $2.00 per page.
I also need to acquire numerous other legal documents located in the State Attorney's office in reference to the 1969 case.
My dream is to exonerate myself, my goal is to become self-supportive and my mission is to be able to be a vessel and help others as well.
Organizer
Charles O’Berry
Organizer
Pahokee, FL