With the advance of DNA testing, I was found to be not guilty. I was freed on July 5, 2000. I had been in prison for over six years. When I came out, the cameras were on me and I spoke to the media and said, “I need help – I am sick because of what happened to me.”
There were many changes I noticed after coming out of prison. Using a debit card, working a gas pump with a charge card, and grocery checkouts all proved challenging. The Internet was all new to me – click on this, pull on this, type something in – it did not make sense at first. I was frustrated, and felt the job market had passed me by. I am still having problems adjusting to computers.
I am currently working at Walgreens Drug Store earning $7 per hour, but am hoping to get into a manager position and earn in the range of $13-14 per hour. It is frustrating to feel that I am behind because of the time I lost. I am angry that I have had no apology, just some official document saying I will not be bothered by the police. The only way I got through this ordeal was with my faith and the help of people who believed in my innocence. I couldn’t go through it on my own.
I realize the pain will not go away, deep problems are still in there and I try to face up to my worries and fears. No matter what your situation, do not give up even though sometimes it seems easy to do so. My faith gave me hope. Trust in God completely.
Bio: William Gregory was falsely imprisoned and spent over 50,000 hours in prison. He was found to be not guilty with help from the Innocence Project founded by Barry Sheck and Peter Neufeld. He was freed on July 5, 2000. Provided by: www.survivingadversity.com
