Inmate Free After 13 Years In Prison

By: Laura Vesco/Eyewitness News 9 | WNCT
Published: May 02, 2008

Inmate Free After 13 Years In Prison
He spent more than thirteen years on death row now he has become the eighth man to be spared execution in our state after a witness changed her story. Bo Jones from Duplin County saw daylight as a free man for the first time in many this afternoon.

Reporter: "For 13 years Bo Jones spent his life behind bars for the 1987 murder of Leamon Grady. However, he always said he was innocent. With tears of joy he and his family are celebrating his freedom."

Bo James no longer sports handcuffs but he traveled a twisted road to this point. In 1993 a jury convicted him of first degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy. His family stands by his side. Jones Aunt, Lillie Sanders says, "If Bo had been guilty he'd a stood up to your face and said I did it. That's the kinda child he was."

While he was waiting for the death penalty in 2006 a judge granted him a new trial due to ineffective defense lawyers. This past March Jones former girlfriend, Lovely Lorden also the key witness in the murder trail, changed her story, clearing Jones.

Now, District Attorney Dewey Hudson says he still believes Bo Jones is guilty but there is no evidence to prove it.