Article October 20, 2003 Issue

Innocent from the beginning, forgiving to the end

Rick Walker's story

By Warren Bolon Senior Writer

According to calendars hung on a cell wall, it took twelve and a half years for an innocent man to be freed from a prison system he should never have entered. In Rick Walker's heart, though, he was free all along.

He was free of guilt. He hadn't murdered Lisa Hopewell, a former girlfriend.

Gradually, he gained freedom from his fears of violent inmates and abusive guards—not an easy thing to gain in prisons such as San Quentin and Pelican Bay.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

COMPENSATION UNDELAYED