Benefit for man improperly sent to death row will be held March 31 at the Grey Eagle

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Press release here:

WHAT: The Third Annual Freedom Ball: A Fundraiser for NC Death Row Exoneree Edward Chapman

WHEN: Thursday, March 31: doors open for food and drink at 6; the music starts at 7

WHERE: The Grey Eagle Music Hall, 185 Clingman Avenue  Asheville, NC 28801

CONTACT: Edward Chapman 828.989.4074; Pam Laughon 828.712.2114

Edward Chapman celebrates his third year of freedom, after more than thirteen years on North Carolina’s death row for crimes he did not commit, at the Grey Eagle Music Hall on Thursday, March 31, with a fabulous musical lineup, including David LaMotte, Skinny Legs & All, The Krektones, and Kinjah. Doors open for food and drink at 6pm and the music starts at 7 with the fabulous David LaMotte. The event features a silent auction as well as an all-star musical lineup with proceeds ($10 student; $15 general and $25 patron tickets are available online here or at the door) going to Edward Chapman.

Three years after his release, Chapman continues working at the Renaissance Hotel, for $9.00 an hour. He also donates his time to speak to youth and other groups of people who find meaning and inspiration in his story. Chapman plans to release his book this spring, Life After Death Row: The True Story of Glen Edward Chapman. A cable pilot of his story was filmed last year in Hickory and may also air this spring on BET’s new show, “Vindicated”.

Chapman’s case was fraught with police misconduct. Hickory police detectives hid evidence of Chapman’s innocence, including a lineup in which the eyewitness identified another man and not Edward, as well as a confession by another suspect in the murder. Chapman’s lawyers did not bother to investigate multiple reports by people who saw the victim the day after the prosecution claimed she was murdered by Edward. Nor did they pursue any investigation of the prime suspects in the case.

It was only when local attorney Frank Goldsmith and mitigation specialist Dr. Pam Laughon, chair of the Psychology Department at UNC-Asheville, started working on Edward’s case more than a decade later, that the truth began to be revealed.  Even then, it took years to achieve justice and secure Chapman’s freedom.  His son had grown up and his own mother as well as his son’s mother had died while Chapman was wrongly imprisoned.