Anthony Wright: ‘I am finally home’

In 1991, I was wrongfully arrested for a horrific crime and sent to prison for life with no chance of parole. I was a young father, I was innocent and I had nowhere to turn. I wrote to the Innocence Project. They took my case in 2004. It took 10 more years before I started to see justice.

In 2014, DNA testing excluded me from the crime scene and identified the real perpetrator. Nonetheless, prosecutors decided to retry me. I spent two more years in prison. After 25 years and with the help of everybody at the Innocence Project, I was finally exonerated on August 23, 2016 when the jurors at my retrial acquitted me. It was one of the best days of my life.

Now, I’m free. I thank God for science, for DNA testing and for the Innocence Project.

I’m sharing my story because I’m hoping you will donate to the Innocence Project. With your help, the excellent lawyers there can do for others what they did for me.

I’ve been home for more than three months now. It still feels unreal. I have a huge family and it’s been great to spend time with them again after so long. I have a son and a 1-year-old granddaughter, Romera. I adore her.

In October, I started working as an assistant clerk at the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Going to work is the highlight of my day. Each morning, I can’t wait to go. It’s a great feeling to finally be on the other side.

Thanksgiving with my huge family was incredible, especially because I got to celebrate my 91-year-old grandmother’s birthday with her for the first time in 25 years. At the party, everyone surprised me by wearing Innocence Project t-shirts. I was so emotional. It was one of the most profound moments of my life—to be back with my family and to feel all their love and support.

Life is good. I’m basking in the company of my family and friends and looking forward to spending Christmas with my father and sister. And I’m so grateful for my legal team—my guardian angels.

I wouldn’t be here today without the Innocence Project, and I hope you will make a donation, which will help them free other innocent people in prison. They saved my life and I love them.

Thanks and happy holidays,
Tony Wright

Related: Help Free the Innocent and DOUBLE Your Impact for Justice