John Nolley’s Conviction is Overturned! See Images of His First Moments of Freedom

Yesterday, Innocence Project client John Nolley was released from prison after a Fort Worth Judge filed an order recommending that Nolley’s 1998 murder conviction be overturned based on new evidence which revealed that Nolley was not the source of a bloody palm print found on a piece of paper recovered on the victim’s body. The evidence was uncovered by the Innocence Project in collaboration with Fort Worth attorney Reagan Wynn and Tarrant County’s new conviction integrity unit, which also discovered and turned over numerous pieces of previously undisclosed evidence significantly discrediting the testimony of two informants who had claimed to have critical evidence supporting the state’s case at trial.

Nolley said yesterday, over a video conference call with members of the Innocence Project, that he was thrilled to be free and with his family members, 20 of whom showed up to support him and celebrate his release. Check out these moving photos of Nolley celebrating his first moments of freedom with his family and Innocence Project legal team, headed by Senior Attorney Nina Morrison and Co-Director Barry Scheck.

John Nolley with Innocence Project Senior Attorney Nina Morrison at his hearing.

John Nolley, standing, was behind bars for close to 19 years for the murder of a Bedford, Texas, woman.  He was released on Tuesday May 17, 2016, based on new exculpatory evidence uncovered by the Innocence Project and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. (Photo by Ron Jenkins)

Innocence Project Co-Director Barry Scheck (left) with Innocence Project client John Nolley and Innocence Project Senior Attorney Nina Morrison. The project has been working on Nolley’s case for more than a decade. (Photo by Ron Jenkins)

Nolley with his sons and baby granddaughter.  (Photo by Ron Jenkins)

A celebratory breakfast followed yesterday’s hearing.  (Photo by Ron Jenkins)

(Photo by Ron Jenkins)

Related: With Consent of the Tarrant County District Attorney, Texas Court Frees Man Who Served 19 Years of a Life Sentence for Murder