Yesterday, I had the priviledge of listening to Terrill Swift, who was exonerated from prison after about 17 years. He was originally convicted of murder and rape. Many things surprised me. The first thing I noticed was his poise, calmness, and lack of hatred. He'd been exonerated for only about a month, yet he communicated his story as if he'd been out of jail years ago. I'll be honest with you, if I'd been in jail for 17 years, fighting everyday for my freedom, I would be a little ticked off when I get out. I kind of connected Terrill to Ferdinand the bull. He was innocent, but in the wrong place at the wrong time. Terrill and Ferdinand were both set up. Terrill was wrongfully accused by another criminal, and Ferdinand sat on a bee, Without much of a fight, they were both taken to their own worst nightmares (a bull fighting arena for a bull and a jail for a human). They both fought for their freedom by sticking to who they are. Ferdinand just sat down next to the only flower in the whole arena, and Terrill wrote his way to freedom by pleading his case. They were both released back into the real world. Check out Ferdinand the bull's story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGTVRbpAuRo.
Metting Terrill was my first time talking with an exonerated prisoner. I found his demeanor very interesting considering his past life. Terrill's experience has enlightened me to try and stop wrongful convictions, even if it's one step at a time.
Kind of an odd connection. Be sure that you are not oversimplifying or trivializing the issue.
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