Man Serving Life Without Parole for Georgia Robbery Is Freed, With Help From a Remorseful Prosecutor
Jessie Askew Jr., who was sentenced to life without parole in Georgia for an armed robbery involving an unloaded gun, was released after serving 28 years, aided by the same prosecutor who originally convicted him. Kelly Burke, the prosecutor, later expressed remorse over the harsh sentence and worked to secure Askew's freedom. The case highlights evolving perspectives on sentencing and justice reform in the U.S. legal system.
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AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.Supported bySKIP ADVERTISEMENTHe Was Supposed to Die in Prison, but the Prosecutor Felt GuiltyJessie Askew Jr. was sentenced to life without parole for a clumsy armed robbery with an unloaded gun. The man who sent him away was determined to bring him back home.Listen · 16:28 min Share full articleJessie Askew Jr. arriving at a hearing in Houston County, Ga. He hoped to be set free after serving 28 years of a life sentence without parole.Credit...Audra Melton for The New York TimesBy Joshua SharpeJoshua Sharpe began following Jessie Askew Jr. and Kelly Burke’s story in 2021.
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