After spending nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Eric Riddick is finally home!

On May 28, 2021, Judge Lucretia Clemons reduced Eric’s sentence and ordered he be immediately released. He was finally able to reunite with his family and friends outside of a Philadelphia courthouse.

Eric was sentenced to life in prison in 1992 after he was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder, despite there being no physical evidence connecting him to the crime. His conviction was based on the testimony of a single eyewitness, who first recanted his statement in 1999. Since then, the witness has signed multiple affidavits reaffirming that Eric was not connected to the crime. Others have come forward to identify another man, who died in 1997, as the person who shot William Catlett.

Despite multiple petitions, Eric was not able to prove his innocence in court due to a legal technicality and a missed filing deadline. Eric and his family have continued to fight for justice for nearly three decades.

Eric’s wrongful incarceration and the fight to prove his innocence have placed a significant financial burden on the Riddick family, including legal fees, prison phone calls, transportation and more. Supporting them will alleviate financial stress and help Eric and his family move forward in this new chapter of their lives. Thank you for your support, and please help us spread the word!

Learn more about Eric and his story here:

Documentary 

Petition for Eric's Innocence and Release