‘Waverly Two’ to celebrate freedom with brunch event in Richmond
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Two men who spent decades behind bars for a murder they were found not guilty of committing will celebrate the commutation of their sentences with a brunch event in Richmond on Saturday.
Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne, known by some as the "Waverly Two," were arrested and charged with the 1998 murder of Waverly police officer Allen Gibson. Despite being found not guilty of killing Gibson, both men were sentenced to life in prison.
Decades later, in January, outgoing then-president Joe Biden commuted both Richardson and Claiborne's sentences. While this is not a full pardon -- and the Waverly Two must still fight to prove their innocence -- it allowed both men to walk out of prison. Richardson did so in March and Claiborne did so in April.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, Life After Justice will host a "Celebration of Freedom Brunch" for Richardson and Claiborne at Copper Hall, located at 1129 Hull St. in Richmond.
Life After Justice was co-founded by attorney Jarrett Adams, who represents the Waverly Two. It is a national nonprofit that describes itself as "dedicated to transforming the criminal legal system through data-driven strategic litigation and providing holistic mental health support for wrongfully convicted individuals."
Adams -- who was wrongfully convicted, himself -- stepped up to represent Richardson and Claiborne after seeing some of 8News' initial coverage of the case several years ago.
Per the nonprofit, the brunch event's program will begin at noon, with Richardson and Claiborne among those expected to speak.
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