After spending 20 years behind bars, Steven Barnes is free, and today all six charges against him were dismissed. Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara apologized in court today for the time he spent behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit. He said he knows an “I’m sorry” won’t take back the years he lost, but that’s what he can do right now. He said, “Our system, which I still believe is the best in the world, failed Mr. Barnes. I’m sorry.”
Barnes responded by accepting that apology and saying today was the happiest day of his life. After 20 years behind bars he is glad the nightmare is over.
After hearing all six counts were dismissed, the court room erupted in applause. Steve Barnes’s mother cried and said she was always proud of her son and that she always supported him. Barnes credits staying strong behind bars to his supportive family. He said they visited him all over the state at any chance they could get.
Since being released from jail on November 25th 2008, Barnes has readjusted himself to life in the 21st century. On Tuesday he is taking his driving test to get his license back. He, also, plans on working closely with the Innocence Project to get more people out of jail that are wrongly incarcerated.
