A man who was just released after serving 32 years in prison is now back behind bars.
The Crosley Green case was not taken up by the US Supreme Court earlier this year. An all-white jury found the 65-year-old Florida resident of Brevard County guilty in 1989, and he was given the death penalty in connection with a murder in Titusville.
Green served 32 years in prison, 19 of them on death row for a murder he claimed not to have committed. His defense claimed there was no physical evidence connecting him to the crime, no sign of his presence at the scene, and that important witness notes from the previous trial that pointed to another suspect had been concealed.
He contested his conviction up until a federal court overturned it in 2021, at which point he was granted conditional parole. The conviction was later overturned by a three-judge appeals court, though, and the high court ultimately decided not to take the case.
The tweet below confirms the news:
Green spent 19 of his 32-year sentence in prison on death row for a murder he said he did not commit. He was given a conditional release in 2021. However, a three-judge appeals court then reversed the overturned conviction https://t.co/9tmenhiVdv #FOX35
— Danielle Knox FOX 35 (@Fox35Danielle) April 18, 2023
After two years of freedom, Green turned himself into the Florida Department of Corrections in Orlando on Monday.
“The last two years have been the best years of my life. I reunited with my family and met my grandkids for the first time. I learned a new job that I really love. I’ve enjoyed worshiping with my church in Titusville. And I’ve begun new relationships that have changed my life. I would like to live the years I have left in freedom and peace,” Mr. Green said.
“Today is a dark day for justice, but Crosley Green’s faith points him to the hope of a better day ahead,” said Keith Harrison, a partner at Crowell & Moring who has led the fight for his freedom for the past 15 years. “The only avenues left to pursue are parole or clemency, and we are hopeful that the State will see that no public interest is served by keeping Mr. Green behind bars.”
Green remains optimistic.
“I have faith in God that He will find a way. I believe He will show everyone who is willing to look at my case that I deserve to be free,” he said. “I am not bitter. I am not down and out. I am trying to set an example of faith and hope for my family, for my church, and for my town.”
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