Man freed after wrongful conviction forgives witness who lied

Police "coaching" again

LOS ANGELES—Willie Earl Green, caged for a quarter-century for a murder he didn't commit, has every reason to be bitter after the lies of a drug-addled witness put him behind bars for nearly half his life. But moments after his release Thursday, the 56-year-old Green basked in sunshine outside the downtown courthouse and graciously said he forgave prosecutors and the witness who recanted. "You know, that's why they put erasers on pencils, because we all make mistakes," he said as he walked free for the first time since 1983. "Today is a glorious day."

Green was convicted of murdering 25-year-old Denise "Dee Dee" Walker in a South Los Angeles crack house and sentenced to 33 years to life in prison. Four years ago, witness Willie Finley—a convicted killer and drug dealer—told Green's attorneys he was high on crack when the woman was murdered and didn't get a good look at the shooter because he had been pistol-whipped and couldn't see well. Finley also said a detective coached him to identify Green in a photo lineup.

"I was wrongly accused," Green said. "I'm out now, I'm not bitter, I'm happy. This is the best thing that ever happened to me right here." It appeared Green would need some time to adjust to life outside prison. When a reporter's cell phone rang, the astonished Green said he had never used or touched such a gadget. Someone gave him a phone, and he began to tremble when he held it in his hands . "Take it back before I drop it," he said.

Green boasted of his accomplishments while in San Quentin: He earned a degree, taught math to other inmates and fell in love with his penpal Mary. They married in 1991 and intend to live in her Chowchilla home. "I'm a better man today," Green said. "I teach men that a whole lot of people gave up on."

Green had sought a new trial for years, contending the witness had lied. Green eventually won the support of the forewoman of the jury and the legal backing of Centurion Ministries, a nonprofit group that advocates for the release of wrongfully convicted prisoners.

Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Marcus overturned the conviction last week, saying Green did not receive a fair trial because jurors never heard enough of Finley's story to evaluate his credibility. Prosecutors said they would not oppose his release, and Green was freed by an order from Marcus. Asked if the criminal justice system failed him, Green replied: "The same system that put me in jail is the same system that got me out."

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