Anthony Wright Shines in his Freedom after 25 Years Wrongly Convicted

“Today is our day,” Anthony Wright said proudly moments after his release from Philadelphia’s Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and just hours after a jury found him not guilty of a 1991 murder.

“I got my father standing right here, my mother standing right there, my mother up there looking down on me, my grandmother looking down on me … God is good!”

RELATED: An Innocence Project Tribute to Father’s Day: Anthony Wright

In 1993, Wright narrowly escaped the death penalty by a 7 to 5 jury vote for fatal crimes against an elderly woman he did not commit. It’s taken 25 years, several DNA tests, a conviction reversal, retrial, and the tireless work of Innocence Project Senior Staff Attorney Nina Morrison, Co-Founder Peter Neufeld, Samuel Silver and Rebecca Lacher of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, and many others to exonerate Wright.

The jury took less that an hour to find Wright innocent after a retrial in which lawyers presented overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating Wright’s innocence and pointing to the true assailant.

Take a look at moving photos of Wright, his family and legal team after the verdict to his release from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility several hours later.

(A supporter of Wright has established a donation site for those wishing to make contributions.)

Anthony Wright’s father, David Parker, hugs a family member after the verdict (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Tony Wright Jr. hugs Innocence Project Paralegal Natalie Fine following the verdict (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Senior staff attorney, Nina Morrison, addresses the media outside the courthouse alongside attorney Samuel Silver (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright holding his granddaughter Romera for the first time outside of prison (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright addresses the media (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright and his granddaughter Romera (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright smiling at his granddaughter Romera (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project). 

Anthony Wright leaves the correctional facility parking lot with his family and legal team including Nina Morrison (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright enjoying the first moments with his family upon his release (Kevin Monko/Innocence Project).

Anthony Wright (with Innocence Project Co-Director to his left) leaves the correctional facility to eat his first meal as a free person (Kevin Monko/Innocence Projecy).