NEW ORLEANS — Imagine missing Christmas for more than 30 years in a row, and the reason you're missing the holiday is no fault of your own.
Jerry Davis and Larry Moses were wrongly convicted for crimes they did not commit and missed Christmas with their families for more than three decades.
WWL Louisiana met them hours after they were initially released; months later we met up with them again right before they finally got to celebrate Christmas as free men.
More than 30 years ago two New Orleans men lost their freedom, today, they leisurely sit along the Riverfront in the Ninth Ward enjoying the December view.
Jerry Davis said, "I thought I'd never see a ship again in the river."
Watching the boats go by and talking about dressing up as Santa Claus. Laughter, for decades, there was little of that where they were.
WWL asked them, "Gentlemen, what's it like to be sitting here today after we met?" Davis said it's, "Wonderful." Larry Moses said, "It's a good feeling. To look out over the railway look at the city."
In 1984 Jerry Davis was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. This August, after 40 years, the 64-year-old is home. "I never thought I'd see this day," he said.
The father of two and grandfather to four finally gets to celebrate Christmas. "Ain't no telling what I might do. I'm gonna be happy."
According to the Innocence Project New Orleans Jerry wasn't even at the scene of the crime he was accused of. Innocence Project New Orleans, Legal Director Richard Davis initially said, "A couple were visiting New Orleans, they were setting up a camper van in a trailer park off Chef Menteur in New Orleans East. They were approached by two men who robbed them and shot them."
INPO says the actual suspect pointed the finger at Jerry and because of that he spent four decades in prison. Now, he says his biggest joy is seeing his grandkids smile on Christmas day.
Davis said, "I'll mainly be honest with you, Christmas to watch, you know, like kids playing with their toys and stuff, you know, bring back old memories. See how much fun they have.. they have more than I used to have."
WWL Louisiana was there the moment Larry Moses was released from state custody back in June. Moses says today, "I gave all thanks to God for blessing all people that have been a part of my freedom."
He went on to say, "When I walk in the midst of my family, I could just feel all the love and I didn't feel for all those years I was a when I was away, there was no love in the petitionary."
The 68-year-old was given a life sentence for two counts of first-degree murder in 1995. IPNO says a suspect approached two people and attempted to rob them, the suspect shot them. Their investigators found the state didn't reveal evidence to the defense and the conviction was based on false testimony.
Innocence Project New Orleans attorney Charell Arnold told WWL in June, "In this case... the sole eyewitness or a man who claimed to be an eyewitness, both had motivation to lie, and to implicate Mr. Moses over a romantic rivalry, and that this eyewitness actually had pretty severe mental health problems and was committed and underwent a psychiatric evaluation."
Now he's home. A father to 18, a grandfather to 30, and a great-grandfather to four, he now has his driver's license, traveled to Seattle, bought a van, and rekindled an old flame with Ms. Gloria.
Moses says, "From the time when we first met... I've been riding the buses and learning the city again."
WWL asked him, "Larry, what's it like to be sitting here with Jerry overlooking the river knowing you're free?" To which he responded, "Unbelievable. Boy is it a real good feeling. Because one time I thought I'd never make it about the place you know. And yes, every day I wake up and walk out the door. I can't believe it. Oh, I really [am] free... I was being ordered around for all of those years."
WWL asked Davis, "How's it feel for you Jerry?" He responded with, "A wonderful feeling. You know. Something I have always been hoping for.. To be free sit out sit on the porch... I do a lot of sightseeing."
Combined Larry and Jerry served 70 years in prison for crimes they didn't commit. now these two kind souls sit on a park bench enjoying the view.
A view that was wrongly snatched away from them to begin with.
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