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Detroit man one of more than 200 to get commuted sentence from President Obama

Posted at 10:38 PM, Aug 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-04 11:03:36-04

It was an historic announcement for more than 200 inmates across the county and for four here in Michigan as President Barack Obama issued commutations for 214 inmates, which means an early release for some facing life behind bars.

Most of the inmates who are getting commuted sentences are serving time for non-violent drug crimes.

One of those inmates is 37-year-old Vince Cordell King from Detroit. King is serving a life sentence for cocaine possession with the intent to distribute. He’s already served more than 20 years of his sentence.

He’s been serving time in a federal facility in Pennsylvania.

Wednesday, his mother Rosa Jones got a phone call from him that changed everything.

"I was driving wasn't in a good place to hear it, I was really happy, I was overwhelmed, just everything, hands started shaking and all I could say was thank you Jesus,” said Jones.

"That's a lot of years of my son's life I've missed.  I will be so glad to take up from where ever, it's ok,” said Jones.

Jones said even though he was serving a life sentence, she always believed he would get out.

"Yes I did, because I have a lot of faith, I always felt like he was going to come back home to me,” said Jones.

Jones wrote President Obama a letter about her son a few months ago, but she’s not sure if that played apart in her son’s commuted sentence.

"I don't know for sure, but if I did I am happy,” said Jones.

Jones is expected to be released in December.