A Georgia woman was supposed to spend the rest of her life in prison. 13 years later, she was released after getting her bachelor’s degree from Life University.
In 2009, Michelle Morrison’s hope of ever walking free was dashed after she was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting death of another by being in the wrong place and hanging out with the wrong crowd. However, instead of sulking and complaining about the cards she had been dealt, Morrison raised herself from the ashes, took college classes, and became a university graduate behind bars.
Two years prior to her conviction as a felon, Morrison had gone to a home with a friend who needed to collect a debt. However, an altercation ensued between her friend and a counterpart, Keith Alan Brown, leading to a shootout. As a result, a life was lost, and Morrison was sucked into the web as a conspirator and was charged with a felony murder charge, aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy over the shooting death of Brown.
After serving 13 years in prison, the defendant was released through Fulton County Integrity Unit. The unit was created to re-examine questionable convictions and to guard against future conviction errors. Recently, Morrison walked across the stage to receive her degree in the presence of her family members.
"To see people judge me by those labels, it hurt bad. I feel honored now. I put away the shame, anything that I had negative feelings, and I feel great to walk across that stage," said Morrison, reported 11 Alive.
She remains the first woman to be released under the Fulton County Integrity Unit. Morrison and her mother who is her number one fan are now advocates for black women serving long sentences.
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