Fred Clay: Free at Last
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In 1979, when he was barely 16 years old, Fred Clay was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of a Boston cab driver - a murder he didn't commit.
On August 8, 2017, the Suffolk County District Attorney finally acknowledged that Fred had not received a fair trial; the judge graciously said, “It is my honor and privilege to discharge you from custody,” and Fred walked out of court a free man (click for video). Here's a wonderful video (click for video) capturing some of the events of that day.
Miraculously, for 38 years, Fred Clay has kept his head, kept his faith, and kept hope alive. Over those many years, from within the walls of a prison visiting room, Fred has met and touched people that have come to know and love him. The character, spirit, and cautious optimism of this man throughout all he has endured have inspired and humbled us. We are “Team Fred.”
Fred is a living example of integrity, perseverance, and hope. Kerry (Dibble) Kapaku, who has been visiting Fred with her family since she was 7, calls him "one of the most inspiring, kind, grounded, and wonderful people I know." Even the brother of the cab driver who was murdered 39 years ago has come to believe that Fred is innocent.
Now released, Fred faces many challenges in his new life. Although he completed his GED in prison, he has no vocational skills and only a few hundred dollars in savings. He has hardly any family and they are not able to support him. Currently in transitional housing, Fred will soon need to pay for his own food, shelter, transportation, and education. While Fred's lawyers will seek restitution from the state for his wrongful imprisonment, that process will take years and the outcome is uncertain.
Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 was a remarkable day. Fred Clay is a remarkable man. But even a remarkable man needs help now and then. Fred can never be fully compensated for the nearly four decades that were stolen from him. But we can help make his life better now. This site is being run by his legal team and his pastor. Team Fred asks that you join us in supporting a new life for Fred Clay.
We intend to deliver donations to Fred once we have made our goal.
Please give as generously as you can. As Fred does not yet have an email or bank account, funds submitted through GoFundMe will get to him through his Pastor, Rev. Fred Small, of Arlington Street Church in Boston, who will be depositing the funds to Fred once an account is set up for him.
On August 8, 2017, the Suffolk County District Attorney finally acknowledged that Fred had not received a fair trial; the judge graciously said, “It is my honor and privilege to discharge you from custody,” and Fred walked out of court a free man (click for video). Here's a wonderful video (click for video) capturing some of the events of that day.
Miraculously, for 38 years, Fred Clay has kept his head, kept his faith, and kept hope alive. Over those many years, from within the walls of a prison visiting room, Fred has met and touched people that have come to know and love him. The character, spirit, and cautious optimism of this man throughout all he has endured have inspired and humbled us. We are “Team Fred.”
Fred is a living example of integrity, perseverance, and hope. Kerry (Dibble) Kapaku, who has been visiting Fred with her family since she was 7, calls him "one of the most inspiring, kind, grounded, and wonderful people I know." Even the brother of the cab driver who was murdered 39 years ago has come to believe that Fred is innocent.
Now released, Fred faces many challenges in his new life. Although he completed his GED in prison, he has no vocational skills and only a few hundred dollars in savings. He has hardly any family and they are not able to support him. Currently in transitional housing, Fred will soon need to pay for his own food, shelter, transportation, and education. While Fred's lawyers will seek restitution from the state for his wrongful imprisonment, that process will take years and the outcome is uncertain.
Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 was a remarkable day. Fred Clay is a remarkable man. But even a remarkable man needs help now and then. Fred can never be fully compensated for the nearly four decades that were stolen from him. But we can help make his life better now. This site is being run by his legal team and his pastor. Team Fred asks that you join us in supporting a new life for Fred Clay.
We intend to deliver donations to Fred once we have made our goal.
Please give as generously as you can. As Fred does not yet have an email or bank account, funds submitted through GoFundMe will get to him through his Pastor, Rev. Fred Small, of Arlington Street Church in Boston, who will be depositing the funds to Fred once an account is set up for him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jeff Harris
Organizer
Newton, MA
Fred Small
Beneficiary
