This man spent more years behind bars than any other wrongfully imprisoned person in America

[Judi Lynn]

Updated 3:55 PM ET, Fri March 30, 2018

(CNN) - One of the first things Richard Phillips did when a judge finally declared him a free man is go on a grocery run. He was amazed to discover how many varieties of orange juice are on sale.

It's just one of many revelations Phillips is dealing with these days after 45 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Phillips was exonerated earlier this week after a judge threw out his murder conviction. When he went in, the Detroit man was 27. He turns 72 next month.

The time he served behind bars makes Phillips the nation's longest serving exoneree in history, says the Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school.

More:
http://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_566fc7ebbdca9304bf6e1311327f8f72

[Glamrock]

1. Jesus Murphy!

[Volaris]

2. There should be a way for him to get some money for that...

The dude spent most of his working life in prison. Not fair.
Not even a fucking little bit.

[Glamrock]

3. No it isn't.

Breaks my heart. The sheer injustice of it is overwhelming....

[Volaris]

4. At the low end, someone should figure out what his earned min income

Is equal to minimum wage at 40 hours per week for every week he spent inside, and cut him a check...because NOW what the hell is he supposed to do? Live on the soc sec he never paid into and so doesn't have?

[Glamrock]

5. He oughta Sue for millions...

[masmdu]

7. Article says he'll get 50k/yr in prison

[murielm99]

12. I thought I was the only one who still said that.

I don't see how this poor man is still sane.

[DFW]

6. Not only should he get the whole $2.25 million

It should be tax free, and the prosecutor, if still alive, should spend the rest of his life in prison, serving out his man's sentence.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. The real question is, how will he adapt to life outside prison.

I have a friend who provides a home for released prisoners. For those of you with a religious bent, I would say he has a prison ministry. (Those of you without a religious bent, ignore that sentence)

About twenty or more years ago he started corresponding with men in prison. Over the years he has established friendships with some of those men. One is very much like a son to him.

I know of at least four men who've come to live with him when they've been released. He has a small two-bedroom place not far from Pittsburgh, PA. One has successfully moved out on his own. One, sadly, died, while living with my friend. One was unable to stay away from drugs and is back in jail, and my friend has made it clear that that man cannot come stay with him again. Shortly before Christmas his most recent inmate moved in. That man is working steadily as a dishwasher in a local restaurant. He's saving money to buy a car, and my friend is not currently charging rent, just asking that the man pay his own expenses. Perhaps more to the point, this recent released prisoner has expressed to my friend how grateful he is, and how he feels so safe living with my friend.

I could not begin to do what my friend does. And through him I've learned a lot about the adjustments a released prisoner goes through. So I very sincerely hope Mr. Phillips can rebuild his life. I hope he has family who will surround and support him. It won't be easy.

[FakeNoose]

10. This is a Christ-like way to live

I want to say that it reminds me of The Shawshank Redemption, but it's much more than that. Your friend offers a helpful hand to those who need it most. Not everyone is grateful or appreciative, but many are.

For women the equivalent would be to offer a safe home to someone escaping an abusive marriage. Sometimes the victim just needs time to clear their head and realize what "normal" means.

I do hope Mr. Phillips can find a way to enjoy and prosper in the last leg of his journey. So much was taken from him, but there's still time and there's always hope.

[Canoe52]

9. Im always infuriated by these stories. Ive been on a jury where the prosecutor

was just going after a conviction with out any facts that would support the charges.

[malthaussen]

11. Wow, he looks great.

Who knew prison was such a healthy environment?

45 years. That sucks, bites, blows, and anything else you'd care to name.

-- Mal