31 Years Wrongfully Imprisoned: The Bitter Story of Lawrence McKinney and Justice That Costs Too Much

Have you ever felt like life is just incredibly unfair? Like all your efforts are in vain, or you’re hit with misfortunes you absolutely don’t deserve? If so, you might want to learn about Lawrence McKinney.

His story might just make us pause. It may lead us to reflect on how harshly the world can treat someone. Such harsh treatment can even steal decades of their life.

This poignant story begins in October 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee. The night was meant to be peaceful. Instead, a woman faced a horrific crime in her own home. She was raped by two unknown intruders who broke in.

In her immense fear, amidst the shock of trauma, the victim tried desperately to recall details. And somehow, she managed to identify one of the perpetrators. What was shocking was that the culprit was her own neighbor: Lawrence McKinney.

The Web of Accusation and a 115-Year Sentence

With the victim’s testimony, the wheels of justice began to turn. There was no deep investigation or much debate. This might have revealed cracks in the case. Lawrence McKinney was immediately faced with grave charges.

The court swiftly handed down an extraordinarily severe sentence to Lawrence: 115 years in prison! Just imagine that number. 115 years!

That’s not just a life sentence; it’s the eradication of an entire remaining lifetime, and then some. From that moment on, iron bars were no longer just walls; they became his “home.” The prison walls, the hard bed, and the monotonous routine became his only view.

Lawrence began to endure long days, seemingly endless months, and years that slowly eroded his youth behind cold cell bars.

He probably often wondered, “Why is this happening to me? How can I be punished for something I didn’t do?”

Every hour and every day was an inner torment. Precious moments were lost out there. This included family laughter, the changing seasons, and technological advancements. Even just feeling the warmth of the morning sun without the obstruction of bars was missed.

A Glimmer of Hope After 31 Years Behind Bars

Time kept marching on, cruelly indifferent. Thirty-one years passed. Thirty-one years! That’s no short amount of time.

Over three decades, Lawrence lost his freedom. He watched the world change from inside prison. His view was only through news or the stories of guards. He entered as a young man and emerged as a middle-aged man, over 50 years old.

Then, amidst what must have been deeply rooted despair, a miracle appeared. Perhaps, more accurately, it was justice that arrived excruciatingly late. Organizations like the Innocence Project worked tirelessly. They enabled old cases with potential wrongful convictions to be reopened.

And yes, DNA tests were conducted recently. The technology used was far more advanced than in the 70s. These tests finally proved that Lawrence McKinney was innocent. Yes, the man who had been locked up for 31 years had not committed the crime he was accused of. He was a pure victim of a flawed justice system and mistaken identification.

Finally, Lawrence was released. Happy? Of course. There was an immense sense of relief. But just imagine, after 31 years,

what was left of him? He walked out of prison as a middle-aged man, a stranger to his new world, with nothing. No job, no savings, no home. His life truly started from scratch, from the ruins of a shattered past.

A ‘$75’ “Gift” and the Struggle to Cash It

The state government of Tennessee provided Lawrence with “capital” to start his new life. You might guess tens of thousands of dollars, or even hundreds of thousands. But no. He was given only $75 in cash.

Yes, you read that right, just $75. That money wasn’t even enough to pay for a month’s rent in a big city like Memphis. It was certainly insufficient to restart a life after 31 years of isolation. This amount felt like a stinging slap in the face.

Even more ironically, because he had been incarcerated for so long, Lawrence didn’t have valid identification. So, even that $75 couldn’t be cashed immediately.

He needed an additional three months. This time was just to process and obtain the necessary ID. Only then could he cash that very minimal “compensation” money.

It took three more months. He struggled just to cash an amount that was so disproportionate to the 31 years of freedom stolen from him. It was a heartbreaking struggle, showing just how disconnected he was from normal society.

The Million-Dollar Compensation Hope That Was Crushed

With a life shattered by wrongful conviction, Lawrence naturally hoped for financial justice that could help him rebuild. He applied for $1 million in compensation from the Tennessee state government.

An amount felt reasonable. It perhaps was even insufficient to atone for 31 years of his lost life. The opportunities were snatched away, and the deep trauma surely left lasting scars.

However, what happened was truly unexpected. His application was flatly rejected by the Tennessee Board of Pardons and Paroles.

The reason for the rejection? Because during his time in prison, Lawrence had committed 97 disciplinary infractions. These minor infractions, like arguing with guards or violating trivial rules, were cited as reasons for denial. They used them to deny him his right to substantial compensation.

They could also be a natural response to the frustration and hopelessness that festered for decades. It was as if they were saying, “You may not be guilty of the original crime.” However, they implied that because he wasn’t “perfect” in prison, he didn’t deserve restitution.

Lawrence McKinney’s story feels like a harsh slap. Life sometimes truly isn’t fair. It is painful when injustice is revealed and the truth comes out. Yet, the beauty and justice we hope for often never arrive.

His story isn’t just about a wrongful conviction. It’s also about the failure of the system to truly rectify its mistakes. The system should restore the dignity of someone from whom it was taken.

This story reminds us how precious every second of freedom is. It also shows how fragile a justice system can be when it wrongly ensnares an individual.

We hope Lawrence’s bitter tale can remind us to always care and fight for justice for everyone. We should realize that the impact of injustice can destroy a person’s life far beyond imagination. What are your thoughts on Lawrence McKinney’s story? What do you think the government should do for people like him?