ATLANTA — Charles Williams is starting his life all over again.
The 59-year-old was released from prison two months ago after serving nine years for a crime he never committed.
"The judicial system let me down," said Williams.
Channel 2 Action News anchor Jovita Moore returned to the Burger King on North Avenue where Williams was arrested in 1996 for armed robbery to talk to him. But Williams said he was across town that night and there was other evidence that never added up.
"The main witness said this person was 6'2 or 6'3 or taller, and I'm 5'7; and they said this person was 20 to 25 years old, and I'm 45," said Williams.
Williams went through several public defenders and sat in prison for years waiting for his trial.
"I'm still searching in my head how cruel they can be, and I'm still searching in my head how cruel it can be that a judge could sentence me to life without parole plus 20 years," said Williams.
Williams said FBI fingerprint tests showed no match with prints found on the restaurant counter, but he still stayed in prison.
"The FBI took the fingerprints on the counter and the wallet, and the FBI came back and said it wasn't your fingerprints," said Williams.
Williams said ultimately "ineffective counsel" caused his sentence to be overturned, and now he's planning to sue Fulton County.
"I lost two vehicles, a house and two jobs. I'm living in a homeless shelter now," he said.
WSBTV
