Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice

Following Walter’s release, he and Stevenson do a series of interviews. They receive international attention, even though Walter is far from the first innocent man to be exonerated and released from death row. The Death Penalty Information Center reports that “Walter [is] the fiftieth person to be exonerated since 1976” (209). Many people in Monroe County are still convinced of Walter’s guilt, so Walter goes to live with family in Florida while they wait for the fervor to die down.

After a few months, Walter returns to his home and business in Monroe County. Though his wife has left him following his release, he remains cheerful and optimistic. He and Stevenson file a civil lawsuit against the state for restitution, though few states offer any financial compensation for wrongful imprisonment and the wages lost while incarcerated. They eventually settle out of court. Sheriff Tate, one of the individuals named in the lawsuit, receives no punishment for his misconduct during the case. Instead, the county reelects him as sheriff.

After Walter returns to his logging business, he has an accident and breaks his neck, forcing him to close his business. Upon his recovery from the injury, he transitions to selling car parts.