BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) - A Kentucky man who served five years of felony probation, was exonerated in Binghamton City Court today, and dismissed of all of his charges.
In 2012, Thomas Shafer plead guilty to grand larceny for stealing three pieces of artificial jewelry in Johnson City.
Back when Shafer gave his guilty plea, it was thought that one of the stolen pieces of jewelry was his mother's engagement ring, valued at $1,600.
However, new testimony revealed that his mother, Theresa, found the engagement ring before he plead guilty, meaning, Shafer never stole the engagement ring.
Without the engagement ring being included in the total value, the other pieces of jewelry were too low to warrant a felony conviction.
Shafer's case was supported by the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice from the Bronx.
Founder Jeffrey Deskovic says he himself was wrongfully convicted, and now that he's out, he's dedicated to helping those in the same position.
"I myself was wrongfully convicted. I spent sixteen years in prison from years seventeen to thirty-two for a murder and rape by which I didn't commit. Prior to DNA exonerating me. Upon my release eighteen years ago, I got a bachelor's, got a Master's, I used some of the compensation that I received to start the organization. We have been able to free fourteen wrongfully convicted people, we've helped pass nine laws aimed at preventing wrongful conviction," says Deskovic.
Shafer, says he's turned his life around, after recovering from his drug addictions.
He currently works at an engineering firm and is married with a child.
Shafer says he's been wanting to obtain his license to become a land surveyor, but the felony prevented him.
"It gives me so many more opportunities in my life to be able to advance my career and my personal life. My family and I don't have to try and figure out ways to work around this anymore. This is freedom that we all get to experience," says Shafer.
Shafer says he's excited that he gets to vote again, and just in time for this year's presidential election.
Deskovic says there's still over 350 people in New York living with wrongful convictions.
Shafer was also represented by Jacob Sher, special counsel from Hinman Howard and Kattell.