Ronnie Long, NC man who spent 44 years in prison for rape he didn't commit, gets $25M settlement
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- The city of Concord will have to pay out a record settlement for its part in wrongfully convicting Ronnie Long and issue a formal apology to him.
Long was 21 years old in 1976 when he was sentenced to life in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. He spent 44 years behind bars until the courts finally overturned his conviction in 2020, citing the “troubling and striking pattern of deliberate police suppression of material evidence.”
Long was finally set free on Aug. 27, 2020.
READ MORE: www.wcnc.com/a...
The prosecutor and cops should be charged if they are still alive.
Absolutely. No mention of those crimes.
This doesn't happen by accident. Let's not be foolish. And no one will face any charges. This is the American way with ppl of color
I agree. And if you the very poor. Forget about receiving a fair trial!!
That Money is not going to buy all those years wrongfully incarcerated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No it will not. Nothing can fix it. Nothing covers lost time and that's not near enough money if money is supposed to fix it. At least 500 million. And that's at least
wrongfully incarcerated not to mention the abuse he endured in jail.
It needs to be $7,000,000,000 dollars
God Bless him! This is disgusting what they did to him! He’s almost 70!! NO amount of money will ever bring back his life! And to all those involved in his false imprisonment I wish you all the worst!
Taxpayers are paying this. The police, prosecuting attorney and judge, are off the hook. Smells of Emmitt Till.
Aameen
There
I meant to say There time will come!!!!!
@@geraldinemiller1473 Yes it will!!
Those prosecutors and others responsible for the suppression of evidence should be criminally charged.
Why does it take 44 years for his exoneration this system is disgusting.
He’s black so they needed someone to blame.
No it's actually working as it was designed to. The system is not flawed. This country has a evil government.
I grew up in concord with Ronnie, and I went to this trial and was shocked and angered at this fake trial, it was the trial of the century, and concord finally acknowledges their wrong, too little too late!!!!!!!!!
they should send the Judge and the Prosecutor to jail.
@@dm19609721they're probably dead and gone
@@dm19609721they absolutely should. Anyone involved in hiding evidence or pushing false claims. We need to demand they are brought to justice.
@@dm19609721 IF THEY ARE STILL LIVING
On behalf of Team Free Ronnie Long: Thank you WCNC, for your consistent coverage of Ronnie’s case and the truthful telling of his story. His wife Ashleigh worked tirelessly for Ronnie’s freedom. She found these awesome, brilliant, tough attorneys at Duke Wrongful Conviction Clinic who made sure Ronnie was not forgotten. The day Ronnie was released will forever be etched in my memory along with the day he was pardoned. Now, the suits are being settled. Many news outlets are carrying Ronnie’s story; but, to get the words right is something we sincerely and deeply appreciate. So, thank you WCNC. Ronnie is more than his case, more than his story. He is a good man wanting to live his life with his loving wife in joy and peace. ❤ 🙏
Where’s the dirty detectives?? They need held accountable
Ha , they probably got medals...
What penalties are those detectives and prosecutors facing?
This is US justice......just disgusting......the lawyer who negotiated his release probably wasn't even born when he was convicted....I am surprised how little compensation he got........you can put a price on lost wages but you cannot put a price on lost freedom......not to mention the abuse he endured being incarcerated.
Bro prison messed that man up Fr….I pray he stays on the right track and more blessings come his way
Poor man! Just Horrible! What they did to him!!
25 million is an insult
The corrupt people should be given 44 yrs in.prison and ronnie should get 44 million
It should be 250 milion!...and where is this woman he claimed he did!...she should go to jail too...how many black men hove gone to jail for falsely being accused of rape!... smdh!...
She is probably dead.
She has since died.
I don’t feel that the amount of money signifies anything. This is still happening
They should have gave him a million for every year
There should be a minimum payment to anyone wrongfully convicted, and that payment should increase based on circumstances. Maybe a minimum of $50-$75k per year for wrongful conviction where everyone played it straight (witness IDs wrong person as in the Cotton case), $250k-$1M/year for instances of prosecutorial or law enforcement misconduct, with higher amounts awarded based on the egregiousness of the misconduct.
And of the person incarcerated suffered disability or injury of some kind because of their wrongful inprisonment that should get you even more money. Example they got beat up in prison badly or they were SA'ed etc.
Now charge the ones that lock him up knowing he was innocent
He missed what we all seen and done.Blessings for the reminder of your life
I feel 44year is to harsh of a judgement for rape. What happened to the woman who wrongly accused him?
Now that's a good question
She has since died of old age.
Back in the day blk men were getting 10-15 years for looking at wyt women the wrong way. Google it
Poor guy! Well at least he can live good for the rest of his life.
you mean a lavish life with PTSD and all the parasites that will come after his money.
@@dm19609721 Ok so which would you prefer, PTSD and be broke or PTSD and be rich?
They took this man's life. What is the value of one's life? Right! It's invaluable. No amount of money can buy life. There are many millionaires and billionaires that have died.
How many people are sitting in prison for the same thing.Convicted on lies and no one is held accountable
44 years is almost some peoples entire life span, ftom the age he was at the time he went to prison plus the 44 years that's almost his life span there, that money is useless to an old damaged man, damaged emotionally and physically from such trauma
There’s a lot people would do for 28 million dollars, but 44 years in prison isn’t one of them. Are the people who put him there being charged? There’s no telling how bad his health is from being there. I hope he moves away from that state, sees the world, and does something with the money so that generations to come can be benefited by it.
Those who tampered with evidence should most definitely be charged
The good ole boy network. Will never be charged. This happens alot to ppl of color
Are those who hid evidence being criminally indicted?
The office should go in were he came out
44 years??? he must sue the judge who sentenced him
From the grave?? Judge Probably gone
@@benjaminwebber196 True, the judge and everybody else involved. That was 44 years ago. However, IF POSSIBLE, I would go after their assets. Again, IF POSSIBLE.
@@Imissyoulou whoa
An insulting joke. We apologized? HELL JUST ENLARGED ITSELF.
"Symbolically, when it's a large number like this one"...are you for real? 22 Million is a slap in the face. 300 Million would be a just compensation. You stole 44 years of the man's life.
I'm honored to hear this beautiful ending to a horrific story. Thank God and the true law-abiding law officials and court officials .
25 mil for 44 long hard years smh
Wow, that is not nearly enough for 44 years of your life forfeited by really evil people under the color of law. How angry would anyone be to serve all that time knowing you were essentially framed by law enforcement. Are we to believe that this was an isolated incident?
Personally I would rather have my 44 years back because all that money can't buy happiness.
But that's the thing: there's no time machine, so this is the best that can be done. And in this case, a formal apology was issued. The best thing would be to hold those responsible in both criminal and civil courts, but that won't happen.
@@bengaltiger96May be. He can ask a lawyer to gather all of the evidence and prosecute the raped victims, investigating and interrogating officers, the D. A. and the judges that handled his case. If they are still alive.
@@badrulsyah1311 Considering how chummy and close they (they being DAs, Judges, officers of the court) are - that's harder than penetrating the "blue wall." Nice thought, but highly unlikely.
Why did it take this long??
Money cannot replace time and the trauma he faced in jail.
Wrong on so many levels ...its sickning.
Thank god the gave this man the final settlement because what in the hell was 750k for his 44 years taken from him !!! Love youuuuu unk ❤
I know that’s right. Bout time. For Ronnie Long dam right
Thats not nearly enough. Do they have any clue what a rapist goes thru in prison. That man is only gonna live another 5-10yrs, they took his entire life away from him
44 years, man dam!😢
You deserve all the love and joy life has to offer ❤❤
They better apologize. They took life away from this black men. 😡
And those who lied should be charged and out into jail.
And what happens to his accusers ?
They didn’t own up to anything. The taxpayers looked out for Ronnie.
His family is very happy. He will never get his 44 years back. Hope he spends his money in a good way. How awfull for this man.
The ones that falsely accused him should do time
All theses demons posing as human
Good. I pray he gets a good financial planner so he doesn't have to work, but can send however he pleases.
Yessss!! He said he was going to fight. Sir you did it
Why don’t these corrupt cops DAs ever get indicted for their abuse of power 👮♂️🤔
An Apology can't make up for the lifetime missed in prison he is a old man his best years were wasted behind bars why didn't he get out after 20 or 25 it took 40y to recognize a mistake
They knew. They just didn't care. This the South for you...
Who was his accuser?
Now he gotta worry about all the fake family and friends who didn't stick beside him wanting a piece of the pie,can't win for losing
Well the judge, juror, and victim who convicted him of this hideous crime is probably getting their punishment eternally.
😡
44 years for rape 😢
It is time that when there is a wrongful conviction and it is proven that the lies started with the police and through the entire judicial system that whoever worked on this case is sent to prison for the rest of their lives. Their property should be confiscated and those on pension should immediately have that revoked. You don't need a trial for those complicit. Their guilt has been proven with the exoneration. Pick them up and throw them in jail as soon as its known.
When I say everyone that worked on the case I also include Judges, State AG, that refused to grant the man a new hearing as I'm sure there had to be several tries.
When that cop lying on the stand to get a conviction knows if he is ever found out he is going to jail for the rest of his life maybe, just maybe the corruption that are in all police forces may start taking a second look at themselves.
Another aspect is the plea deals. In numerous cases the AG goes for a charge that could result in life imprisonment then they are willing to plea deal for a lesser charge. If you are given a choice of possibly spending the rest of your life in jail or to plea to a lesser charge and have a few years or at least the chance of parole what are you going to take? I look at the majority of these cases as they know when they lay the charge that its excessive but that plea deal will get them a guilty plea. This bothers me and it is now coming out how many people have sat in jail for years due to this one fact alone.
No amount of money can make up for lost time, but hey at least he got something for the bullshit they put him threw.
Hopefully he protects his money. He can't be in good health, health care is not the best in jail.
I hope you leave NC sir, you'll be better off.
44 years of his life like damn vro damn i feel pity for my brother at least he got 25 mill but hes god damn 68 and 44 years taken away dman just damn
Make it 50 million
Tulsa race massacre, where is their settlement?
@dyfox3856 - this isn't about you. Sit down.
@@TeressaStuckey-psychdata Lori Vallow
Tiffanie Lucas
Kimberlee Singler
Lindsay Clancy
Sarah Hart
Andrea Yates
Brandi Worley
Ruth Dirienzo
Casey Anthony
Lauren Dickason
Jennifer Hart
Susan Smith
Diane Downs
Michelle Kehoe
Melissa Towne
Julie Schenecker
Brandy McCaslin
Marilyn Lemak
Deanna Laney
Brandy Hutchins
Megan Huntsman
@TeressaStuckey-psychdata well it surely isn't about you. So maybe you have a seat? Why are you even here?
Even though this is definitely a tragedy in many ways, the fact that North Carolina payed this compensation to right the wrongs makes me happy in alot of ways.
I respect the judicial system for the way they sought to rectify this and help this man grow. This was an extremely honorable and right thing that the state did.
They something wrong and they fixed it the best way they could.
WTF, you respect the what? They totally F' d up. You need to wake up.
LORD HAVE MERCY!!! Everyday there's a different person, but with the same story!
Meanwhile, the culprit lived a good life!
But they did NOTHING about it knowing they did that to that Man!
They completely ruined his life. Whats going to happen to these liars?? Nuthin' as usual.
They have to go back and put those city employee's who did this to this man in jail, until the system starts to put judges and lawyers in jail who hide evidence in the slammer this will continue to happen. Congress needs to pass some kind of bill prohibiting lawyers and judges from tampering with evidence to the stand point of they will be put in jail even if they have retired, this doesn't make any sense.
Yeah right. Nc is extremely racist. Nobodys going to jail over this. Ppl of color in this country hv received this type of treatment since we were brought here
God is just and He will repay all those who did wrong.
If god was just, this never would have happen.
Give him everything land home everything
Great, great news. So happy for you, Sir. At lease you have a settlement which will help you, help your family. Enjoy your life. Seek professional advice on how to handle your money. That was a terrible miscarriage of justice. Good luck to you!!!!!
Those w ho schemed to lie and have him convicted should be jailed no matter how old they are.
Them calling it wrongful conviction is crazy because it wasn’t wrongfully it was intentionally they knew he wasn’t the right person before he was convicted
How many more cases is like this? And No amount of money can fix this!!!
Nothing new, this happens to a lot of black people. Twenty million is not enough.
It's sad for what happened to this brother, I wouldn't blame him if he never ever trust the system again, what ever happened to those (police and prosecutors) who lied, concealed evidence and destroyed him.
Things like this can make one race hate another race.
No amount of money could make up for years loss for a lie
Live long bro
There's more cases like his nation wide.
He should have a documentary or a movie ..
A ton of cases like this. Sadly this is supposed to be the greatest country in the world. But you can spend 44 years in prison for something you didn't even do
They will do it again
This man needs therapy so he can adjust to his new found freedom and someone to help manage his new found wealth . Being in prison all those years can make a man bitter and hateful .
Was he paid 25 million or 750k
Initially 750k but he sued so he gets 25 million
Good he got settlement.
Still it does not replace years or time with family etc.
For any one pperiod.
lock up the 2 ladys
That’s too much. Ain’t no free man even get that much in he’s lifetime.
$40 thousand a year plus 44. That’s 1,760,000 for the 44 years. I doubt he would have been a doctor 🧑⚕️ or a lawyer.
They stole his freedom they owe him its never to much, they owe him more remember you don't get time back when on this earth.🌍
Might have been an athlete big contract so what's your point 🤔
You do 44 years then
You can get your money back but not time
Back then it was racism so, why they put innocent men in prison is a pastime event
Now that's the REAL fear, it's not necessarily getting got the l.e.o's. It's losing your name and freedom when truly innocent. It's way too easy, especially when you're black.
Not enough! You took 44 yrs of a man's life away and give him $568,000 per year? Good ole USA🤔
He onky got 750k
Not surprise nc don’t care if you did the crime or not they gone throw u in jail in leave u there
That is terrible if true, but I've seen enough of bogus cases to ask questions. Did he have a prior criminal record? If you refuse to say if he had a prior conviction because it would be shameful to his case, then you don't have a case, you'd just be criminal lovers.
Why are you even in the comments? It's m fers like you...
... & an interesting news to spam e-mails ( - let's say it's a comment for AI recognition ).
🆓💲
Me llego un supuesto gmail de el queriendo darme dinero XDXDXD, sueba s super estafa
It is a scam!!!! We were just notified of it.
$750,000 thats it? Bro he went to prison for life and it needs to be 7 billion or 75 percent of the state budget, damn I hate when innocent people are put to prison for no reason whatsoever.
Those involved need to be prosecuted. Plus if retired have any benefits stripped from them and have them pay back their earnings for the past 44 years.
This prominent white woman should be looked at also. Maybe she had a part in this misjudgment.
Let exercise some intelligence. This was 44 years ago, he is 68, most if not all, of of those people are DEAD.
I hope they make a great movie about it