Man proven innocent after 24 years in prison says he came back to 'new world'
Wayne Burgess, 61, who was locked up for 24 years for a crime he didn't do, says the world is totally new to him now.
He went to prison in 1999 and missed out on big things like 9/11 and the invention of the iPhone. Now that he's out, he feels like he's been born again into a "brand new world." "Everything has changed since I went in and came out like a newborn baby out in the world. A brand new world," said Wayne Burgess.
He was put in jail in 1999 after being found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend's 16-month-old daughter in Pulaski, Tennessee. Wayne was told he would be in prison for life. But then, the testimony from the medical examiner Charles Harlan was discredited. And Burgess says the confession he made years ago was coerced. "The order is clear - not only he didn't do it - it was impossible he did it," his lawyer John Morris said.
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Burgess emerged into a new world - one with iPhones and a post 9/11 attitude (News Channel 5)Wayne is trying to stay happy even though everything around him is different. "A lot of people would have animosity, but not me. It's something you have to go through." But Wayne had a really hard time in prison.
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His lawyers say he's got kidney problems because he didn't get comprehensive medical care in jail. Now, he can't work and is living with his family. "To have 24 years of your life gone and dismissed and open this door to a new world with zero aid or assistance," said his lawyer Sunny Stevens. Burgess' lawyers think it's not fair that he's got no help after such a big shock.
They're trying to get money from the state fund for people who were locked up by mistake to make up for all the time Burgess lost in jail. Burgess is still hopeful and moving on.
Burgess hopes to go to college (News Channel 5)"I go to school in the fall at MTSU. You just need help with tuition," he says with a laugh. "I'm a spiritual guy, and his voice says, 'You go on and I'll take care of the rest,'" Burgess shares about his faith in God.
But getting help after being locked up for something you didn't do can be hard. Lawrence McKinney was the last person in Middle Tennessee to ask for money for being wrongfully jailed. He got $1 million after being locked up for 31 years for a crime he didn't commit, but it took nearly ten years to get the money. Burgess' friends have made a GoFundMe page to help him start over after facing so much trouble and change.
One kind-hearted giver penned: "I was in prison for five years and it was hard getting back to normal. I know after 24 years it must be extremely difficult adjusting, especially for a crime you did not do. I wish you the best and my prayers are with you."
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