Leonard Cure, a Black man who endured 16 years of wrongful imprisonment, tragically lost his life at the hands of the police after a traffic stop went wrong.
Journey to Justice
Leonard Cure’s journey to justice began when he was wrongfully convicted of robbing a drug store in 2003.
16 Years Locked Away
He spent 16 long years behind bars before the Innocence Project of Florida successfully represented him in his exoneration case.
Troubling Discrepancies
It was only in 2020 that Cure was finally released from prison after a conviction review unit uncovered troubling discrepancies, including solid alibis that had been disregarded, a lack of physical evidence, and absent witnesses linking him to the crime.
Tragic Turn
Cure’s life took a tragic turn early on a Monday morning when a sheriff’s deputy pulled him over in Camden County, Georgia.
Mysterious Traffic Stop
The exact reason for the traffic stop remains undisclosed, but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is currently probing the incident.
Escalation Met With Violence
Cure initially complied with the officer’s commands, but when he learned that he was under arrest, the situation escalated.
Use of Force
The GBI reported that the deputy deployed a stun gun, which was followed by a second use and strikes with a collapsible baton, all in an attempt to subdue Cure.
The Tragic Conclusion
Tragically, the encounter concluded with the deputy firing his gun, leading to Cure’s death.
Innocence Project Speaks Out
News of Leonard Cure’s death devastated those who had fought tirelessly for his exoneration. Seth Miller, the executive director of the Innocence Project of Florida, expressed profound grief, stating, “I can only imagine what it’s like to know your son is innocent and watch him be sentenced to life in prison, to be exonerated and … then be told that once he’s been freed, he’s been shot dead.”
Catastrophic Outcome
The catastrophic outcome raises questions about the proper use of force and the need for improved police training.
79 Preceding Officer Involved Shooting
Cure’s death marked the 80th “officer-involved” shooting in Georgia in the current year, according to the GBI.
Fourth Shooting That Week
It was also the fourth police shooting incident within a single week, underscoring the pressing need for reevaluation of police procedures and accountability.
Granted Compensation Summer Before His Death
In June, Cure was granted $817,000 in compensation for the injustice he endured, along with educational benefits.
Bittersweet Benefits
The funds, intended to provide some semblance of closure and support, arrived in August, a bittersweet moment for Cure who had hoped to put the nightmare behind him and move forward with his life.
Lessons Must Be Learned
Leonard Cure’s story serves as a stark reminder of the injustices that persist within the criminal justice system and the devastating consequences that can result from wrongful convictions.
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The post Innocence Stolen, Life Taken – Wrongfully Arrested Georgia Man’s Fatal Encounter With Police After 16 Years Behind Bars first appeared on Career Step Up.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / fizkes. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
