by Walter Lomax
In 1967, I was arrested and convicted for a murder and robbery that I did not commit. In 2001, an organization called Centurion Ministries that investigate wrongful convictions of the innocent accepted my case. The director, Mr. Jim McCloskey hired an investigator named Mr, Steven Delaney. Once Mr. Delaney uncovered the evidence of my innocence, they hired two
attorneys, Larry Nathans and Booth Ripke, and I was released from prison in December 2006.
Through all of this, my family has always been my strongest support system. They knew that I was not capable of committing such a horrible crime. Because of their love and support I was able to endure that horrible experience. And because of it, I
decided to spend the first six months of my freedom solely with them. What a six months it has been! Our time spent together was a unique experience for me, and for some of them too. Be mindful, a lot of them were not even born when I went to prison! Seven of my nieces took me to dinner and to see a movie. (Dream Girls, of all things. In retrospect, I did like it though.) One of my sisters took me to Atlantic City, and to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Another took me shopping and to lunch; one of my brothers sent me plane tickets to fly to Florida, on two separate occasions. And others, well, we just spent quality time together. It has been a wonderful experience. I know that I have been blessed, and having taken the time to spend the first six months with them has caused me to realize just how much.
My family, who has been my strength, will always be in my life, for now I am living it, one day at a time and enjoying every moment.