NAACP issues new call for release of imprisoned man
RALEIGH, North Carolina (WTVD) -- "Free Dontae Sharpe!!"
The chant rang out in two cities Thursday for the umpteenth time but despite flagging support in the courts, supporters say they have new hope in a new administration.
Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
State NAACP head the Rev. William Barber said the Attorney General's office, under new AG Josh Stein is opening a new and independent investigation into the case.
But a spokesperson for the AG's office told the ABC11 I-Team something a little different. Laura Brewer said by email, "Our office has been looking into this case for several weeks. We'll be able to comment the specifics of our review after it is concluded."
Sharpe is accused of a 1994 murder, and was arrested when he was 19. The Pitt County man has been behind bars for more than 20 years. Sharpe has always maintained his innocence.
Supporters can tick off a list of reasons they believe Sharpe to be innocent as he claims:
- No physical evidence ever linked Sharpe to the murder
- Within two months of the trial, they say a 15-year-old eye-witness for the state changed her story and later testified that she'd been pressured to lie at trial
- They say a detective on the case later admitted that evidence was cherry-picked to make a case against Sharpe
- Sharpe's legal team says alibi witnesses for Sharpe were never interviewed by police.
Sharpe's family and supporters, including his attorney, say they've nearly run out of options in state courts and are hoping the 100,000+ petitions they dropped off with Gov. Roy Cooper and Stein will make a difference.
"He was lied on, he was framed," Barber said. "High people in the system know it and have chosen not to act from the state to the local. Any people of moral conviction needs to be saying free Dontae Sharpe because he represents not only his conviction but the brokenness of our system. And he said something today that struck us all; he said, this life is not normal. It's abnormal."
Barber said he washed Sharpe's feet at the Johnston Correctional Center in Smithfield and dried them with his religious stole. After, he gave it to Sharpe's mother to have until her son is released.
RELATED: NAACP WANTS 2 MEN IN NC PRISONS FREED
"I wear this stole all the time," Barber said to applause, "but I'm not wearing it anymore until Dontae is free." Barber then turned his focus to Stein and Governor Cooper.
"This is no time to be like Pilate and wash your hands of this," Barber implored. "This the time to use your hands, your power and your father to do one thing: Free Dontae Sharpe."
