‘I’m struggling harder now than I was’: Ronnie Long continues quest for pardon
BY NICK STURDIVANT | UPDATED DECEMBER 19, 2020 11:28 PM
On Aug. 27, Ronnie Long took his first steps in freedom. He spent 44 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
In 1976, Long was convicted of rape by an all-white jury. Part of the appeal for his case includes that none of the fingerprints nor hair samples at the scene matched Long.
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August that Long’s Constitutional rights were violated.
While his fight for freedom is over, Long said he’s now fighting to survive. The 65-year-old, who now lives in Durham with his wife and family, said he’s having a hard time making ends meet.
“I’m struggling harder now than I was when I was behind the fence. At least behind the fence, I know where my three meals were coming from. Me and my family surviving on donations,” he explained.
His hope is the Gov. Roy Cooper pardons him.
