He spent almost three decades in prison convicted of sexually assaulting two boys. Now, as adults, those boys came forward and said he is innocent.
It is new information that a judge ruled warrants a new trial. The judge released him on Wednesday on $5,000 bond pending that new trial.
On Thursday, Bernard Young made a public plea to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office to drop the charges all together.
“I am actually an innocent man,” said Young. “Please let bygones be bygones. I just want to live my life and be with my family. “
Young said he is marveling at his freedom. So much has changed in the almost 28-years he has been locked up.
A loved one handed him a cell phone. He didn’t know what it was or how to use it. He is getting to spend time with his five children and six grandchildren.
“This morning, when I woke up, I was like looking around,” said Young. “It is a miracle. I am blessed to be at home with my family.”
Taking a look at his case, the victims of the rape he was convicted of were 5 and 6 when it happened. They now say they were actually abused by their stepfather. They were too scared to tell the truth at the time, because he had threatened to kill them and their mom if they said what really happened.
His attorney said the fact the victims say he is innocent should be enough to encourage the prosecutor to drop the charges.
“Don’t for a minute think the system works. This is a broken system that needs to be fixed,” said Soloman Radner, Young’s Defense Attorney.
Young’s trial is scheduled for June 5.
