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August 25, 2020

Appeals Court Says Rights of Ronnie Long Were Violated When He Was Convicted for Rape 40+ Years Ago
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In North Carolina, a federal appeals court has ruled the rights of
Ronnie Long, a Black man who has been in prison for over 40 years, were
violated during his trial. Long was convicted for the rape of a white
woman in 1976 by an all-white jury, but he has maintained for decades
that he was wrongfully convicted. Three of the appeals court judges said
Monday they, too, believe Long is innocent, citing what they called
"extreme and continuous police misconduct" in his case. The appeals
court is now urging a lower court to close the case. Long was 20 years
old at the time of his arrest. He's now 64.


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