Ohio’s CLEVELAND — On Wednesday, a 52-year-old man who had spent the past 29 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape took his first steps as a free man.
Raymond Towler, a native Clevelander, exited the Justice Center with his entourage and a huge grin on his face.
He is now permanently renamed from Inmate No. A16468. Finally, he has achieved independence. Towler beamed, embraced those he knew, and shook hands with anyone who reached out. A crowd of onlookers followed him as he made his way through the courthouse, cameras in tow.
At the age of 24, Towler went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. The middle-aged man with a salt-and-pepper beard said he doesn’t hold anyone responsible for the injustice done to him two days after DNA tests established his innocence.
He claimed he believed he would eventually be vindicated, but he had no idea it would be nearly 29 years before that day arrived.
It took them a long to figure out that they had the wrong individual, he joked. “Right now, all that matters to me is that they were able to get everything straightened up. This allows me to move on with my life.”
And yet, at 9:05 a.m., he wore a black sweater, white shirt, and black formal slacks as he walked into a courtroom. He cracked a grin. Everyone in his family applauded. Together with his lawyers, he took a seat.
Towler was advised to be patient while Common Pleas Judge Eileen A. Gallagher explained the case. She ruled that he can never face rape charges again and had his record sealed.
Towler turned around to greet his family members who were standing behind him. Clarence Settles, his sibling, raised a fist in the air.
Gallagher, fighting back tears, announced that Towler was now free.
Gallagher said that Raymond Towler was an innocent man who had been unfairly incarcerated.
Then she gave him an Irish benediction to read.
She warned him that “Mr. Towler, it’s a long day coming.” “Hopefully, the whole wide world will lift up to greet you. You’ll have favorable winds at your back, I pray. Warm rays of sunshine be showered onto you.”
After stating, “Mr. Towler, you’re free to go,” she got up from the bench and shook Towler’s hands.