Last year, Georgia Innocence Project client Johnny Lee Gates had his conviction overturned. The GA Supreme Court upheld that ruling earlier this year.
On Monday, prosecutors agreed that Gates could be released on his recognizance, awaiting a new trial.
The judge refused.
On Monday, prosecutors agreed that Gates could be released on his recognizance, awaiting a new trial.
The judge refused.
Because Gates was once convicted of murder, the judge ordered that Gates would stay in prison for however many years it took until he got a new trial.
Gates has served 43 years. He is in his 60s. In this pandemic, he has no reason to be confident he'll live to see a trial date.
Gates has served 43 years. He is in his 60s. In this pandemic, he has no reason to be confident he'll live to see a trial date.
Right now, Gates is entering a guilty plea in livestream court proceeding.
It is an Alford plea, because Gates maintains he did not commit this crime. But it is a guilty plea. It's the only way he can be sure that he will live long enough to see freedom.
It is an Alford plea, because Gates maintains he did not commit this crime. But it is a guilty plea. It's the only way he can be sure that he will live long enough to see freedom.
In the course of the plea proceeding, the judge has twice admonished Gates that he shouldn't plead guilty "if you're only doing it to get out of jail."
I can't even express the sicking, cold anger I feel at that.
I can't even express the sicking, cold anger I feel at that.
Johnny Lee Gates, I am so glad that you will be a free man soon. Welcome home.
But I am so, so sorry that this was the best our system could do for you.
But I am so, so sorry that this was the best our system could do for you.
