Reality star Kim Kardashian West has thrown the social media spotlight on a campaign for justice for a man who was wrongly kept on death row for over 20 years.
Kim tweeted about the “heartbreaking” story of Kerry Max Cook, who was sentenced to death in 1977 for the rape and murder of 21-year-old Linda Jo Edwards, which DNA evidence has since proved he did not commit.
Kim Kardashian has offered her support to Kerry Max Cook (Ian West/PA)
Kerry has been free since 1999 after accepting a plea bargain of no-contest with no admission of guilt, but the state of Texas has contested a full exoneration which would see him eligible for more than three million US dollars (£2.12 million) in compensation, plus additional benefits, for the 22 years he was imprisoned.
In a series of tweets, Kim said she had Googled Kerry’s story when she could not sleep.
Kerry Max Cook, pictured in 1999, spent 22 years on death row (LM OTERO/AP/PA)
She encouraged her fans to get behind the campaign to support him and “#RightThisWrong”.
Just read the story of Kerry Max Cook. He had been on death row for a murder he didn't commit for almost 40 years.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
His chargers were just dropped after DNA evidence was finally brought in and cleared him. Can u imagine being wrongly imprisoned for 40 yrs
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
Wait prosecutors agreed to drop the murder charges, but they will continue to oppose Cook’s claims of actual innocence. Always a hang up!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
These are the types of media stories I Google when I can't sleep
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
This will now prevent him from receiving the compensation he deserves for the decades he spent on death row.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
You should google Kerry Max Cook his story is fascinating and heart breaking #RightThisWrong
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 14, 2016
Kerry is one step closer to exoneration after a judge dismissed murder charges against him earlier this month.
The ruling sends the matter to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals where he will seek a full exoneration.
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