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New-found outlook on freedom

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    Sent to jail as an innocent man, William Dillon is still proud to be an American

  • Duration 4:58
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We -- an incredible story to share with you now back in the 1980s William Dillon was just 21 years old when he was sent to prison.

For a murder he did not commit after -- -- appeals and 27 years behind bars DNA evidence finally cleared him of the crime but despite.

Being locked up for the better part of his life Dylan never lost his love for his country.

And the game of baseball that's right last week he decided to sing the National Anthem before a Major League Baseball game.

Okay.

Okay.

What a beautiful -- is joining us today as a free man.

Is builds on -- great to have you here it's great to be here this don't know how long you've been out.

I've been out since November 18 2008 them I'm actually 24 years old as a -- man.

Well it's because you lost 27 years behind bars again for a crime that you never committed you were convicted.

On on faulty eyewitness testimony DNA evidence finally cleared EU.

But those 27 years when those are lost how can you say that you're not infuriated.

That this system in the country that that you behind bars.

Well you pretty much have to say that bitterness is a sour pill to swallow.

And if you wanna stay bitter your whole life and then worry about what happened to you then you're Mexican and -- was ulcers and everything.

It was a painful -- -- situation but let me tell you it's it's.

It's more better to be a positive person to move on from.

That point in my life than it is to sit there and worry about what happened to me at that point you're gonna can't get him back here in your fifties now -- -- -- twenties today and when did this mindset takeover.

It took over about fifteen years in the my sentence I have I saw -- program with some kids in the cancer center country singer came.

Into the the hospital.

In he was talking to these kids with a bandanna is on they had six months to live and everything in.

Just looking at the program on television marvelous work and it could have broke my heart and -- told me that I didn't really have a lot to cry about.

I was in a bad situation but I'm still alive and healthy and doing things and it broke my -- I just -- remember and every single day and told myself that.

No matter what the situation I lost hope but in the same time -- turned a positive person and I really think it helped.

It helped move things towards exonerate me from prison.

There's so heartbreaking moments of your story one -- -- is it 21 years old -- loved baseball.

And in fact you could stood a chance of becoming a professional baseball player you were scouted by Detroit but then all of this happened.

That is correct I was actually of these got it -- in in I did my high school years in in England -- my stepfather was in the air force.

So I didn't have the opportunity to go in high school and play baseball puts it in play baseball over there they just took -- to school and learn -- and it wasn't playing sports and I didn't have the opportunity but my father set up the opportunity with some contacts from -- shortened.

I was actually on my second one and I was very good and it was very control that's all I've ever done.

-- -- is so you got your demo tape to the -- race.

To the -- and you got a chance is saying now when did the singing take over.

The singing took over I started writing songs I wrote the song on that -- -- my CD black -- and lawyers in 1985.

On toilet paper there was there was a point in my life -- -- had nothing but.

A couple pieces of paper in an envelope in my life in this us right after I've been attacked and in prison.

A little while later and help -- themselves and the singing took over the years -- gardens and myself we'll pull it.

I started writing songs and never think anybody was ever gonna hear and but more than anything it was it was a part of my soul and suits me.

How can people get your -- My CD's available on Amazon.com and iTunes and in almost all over I have my own website that's its -- we Michael villain dot com.

So listen if you hear this story you like good music and you want to help support this extraordinary man who went to extraordinary Al.

Go get -- -- -- this is the one thing people can do correct yes please go get that CD thank you very much is so awesome to be here America I'm mom.

Also know that you like to say a special thank you to Geraldo Rivera I certainly do on witnesses say a special thanks view Geraldo Rivera for exposing John -- the dog parent or 1986.

To be a fraud demand that actually made me a suspect in this murder.

Thank you so much -- Ha that's great and hopefully get a chance to -- yeah all of -- so I was -- was going to be here I hope so that's the case right there you mr.

Well hero -- it will build on -- a pleasure in the Ian thanks for inspiring story has may it be here thank you so much for having -- thanks so much right to say awesome.

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