Exoneration granted nearly 30 years after wrongful conviction in Wicomico County

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – History was made, and justice served – as much as it could be – in Wicomico County on Thursday.

“I didn’t think this day would ever come.”

The Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office successfully convincing Judge Karen Dean that Grant Jones was convicted for a crime he never committed. Jones says the exoneration brings vindication.

“My [conviction] was vacated, after I spent almost five years in jail, and I didn’t think this day would ever come. But it’s here,” Jones said outside the courthouse. “This is something you hold onto for years. A lot of years, you just don’t ever think you were going to get help. And then, all of the sudden, it’s just gone. It feels like someone took a big rock off my back.”

And while Jones says he has new faith in the system; it’s been a long time coming.

“I’ve got to get used to the fact that I’m free now, I guess you could say. I’ve been in jail for a long time. Almost 35 years, in my mind. That’s where I’ve been locked up at: up in here,” Jones said, pointing to his temple. “This made me doubt who I was. And, that’s probably why I drank more than I usually do, smoked more cigarettes than I usually do. But, you know what? I never, ever raised a hand to nobody that wasn’t trying to hurt me.”

Jones’ exoneration comes on the heels of another man’s quest to clear his own name; the pair inextricably linked forever, because of one woman’s false accusations.

Inextricably Linked Forever

The following description of alleged attacks may be disturbing to some readers.

In 1996, the woman, who was white, told police that a Black man had broken into her home, and violently attacked and raped her. David Veney happened to live down the street from the woman; and, when he visited his parole officer in relation to a first-time shoplifting charge, a supervising agent thought he fit the description of the woman’s attacker. Veney’s photograph was added to a lineup, and the woman positively identified him as her alleged attacker. He was convicted of home invasion and rape in 1997.

However, just a few years before, the same woman made almost the exact same accusation against Jones. In 1992, the woman told police that she had been attacked in a dark alleyway by a Black man; the details – stunningly similar. Investigators point to long, vertical scratch marks left on the woman’s breasts during the alleged attacks; calling each pair of injuries “remarkably similar” and “remarkably unique.” Medical experts would testify in both cases that the wounds appeared to be self-inflicted.

Investigators now believe that, at the time, Jones was staying a homeless shelter that the woman was involved with. When he visited a police station shortly after the alleged attack, intending to report a missing wallet, it was the same story as Veney: police believed that Jones matched the woman’s description of her alleged attacker, his photo was taken and added to a lineup, and the woman identified him. In both cases, investigators say, the woman said she would “never forget that face.” Jones was convicted in 1993.

Taking Another Look

Veney’s conviction was overturned in 2005, and became eligible for wrongful conviction compensation in 2021. During that time, the state found evidence that called Jones’ conviction into question. As investigators took a second look at Jones’ case, they discovered a pattern of concerning evidence, pointing to his innocence.

For example, witnesses told investigators that even decades later, they clearly remembered Jones’ case, “because of its injustice.” Investigators also say the woman was a “frequent flyer” in the emergency room, making unfounded claims of illness and injury. The woman also had a criminal history, including crimes of deception, say investigators. All the while, Veney and Jones maintained their innocence.

Investigators say uncovering the truth in both Veney’s and Jones’ cases was challenging in more ways than one; many of both men’s case files and evidence were destroyed by the court because of retention policies. Additionally, in Veney’s case, his attorney was later disbarred for unrelated reasons, and those files were lost, too.

Exoneration Granted

Thursday, as Jones addressed Judge Dean in court, he could not hold back his emotions. “It wears you down, wears you out,” Jones said, with tears, of his wrongful conviction. “People think you are a rapist… There is so much I want to say that I can’t get out.”

Listening to the saga, Judge Dean remarked on the “benefit of hindsight”.

“This is an unusual situation,” the judge said. “If the evidence against Mr. Veney was not credible, then the evidence against Mr. Jones isn’t, either.”

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes tearfully apologized to Jones in court, saying “Nothing that happens here can right this wrong.”

Dykes and Jones shared a hug just outside of the courtroom after Judge Deans exonerated the innocent man.

“We’re family.”

Also in court Thursday, was Veney. He says justice for Jones feels like a full circle moment.

“Like Mr. Jones, [I was] walking around with that burden, the label of being falsely accused, and being called and identified as a rapist, and you know that’s not who you are,” Veney said. “It’s been a struggle for the past 18 years trying to get on my feet. And then, to have that conviction vacated, I can’t even explain how it feels to have that weight lifted.”

It’s a new chapter, and a new relationship for the pair. “He is forever my uncle now. We’re family, we’re linked. Later on, I’m going to connect with him, and enjoy some freedom together,” Veney said. “I’ve been given the opportunity to enjoy freedom, finally, just to breathe a little bit, look at life a little bit differently, and set some goals to help other people.”

And even after everything the pair has been through, both say they’re ready to move forward; and have even forgiven the woman responsible for their respective ordeals. She passed away about five years ago.

“There’s no way you can put a value on time, and there’s no way you can put a value on somebody’s life,” Veney said. “All you can do is use what they’ve given you, and try to grow, help people, and enjoy the rest of the time we got.”

“She’s been forgiven a long time ago. That’s probably why I am where I’m at today,” Jones added.

History Made

Veney’s and Jones’ exonerations mark the first and second ever prosecutor-led exoneration efforts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland; and, they are only the second and third in the state’s history.

“A prosecutor’s job is to not only to convict the guilty, but to protect the innocent. Mr. Jones is innocent. Even though it’s 30 years after the fact, it was important that we get this right,” said Dykes. “These men are remarkable people. They have carried a burden for an incredible period of time; a burden that was not theirs to carry.”

Patrick Gilbert, Chief of the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office Prosecution Integrity Unit, led Jones’ investigation. He hopes that Jones’ exoneration sends a strong message across the state.

“We’re not here just to get convictions or put people away for as long as possible. We are here to do the right thing, no matter what,” said Gilbert. “I hope that other prosecutors who are curious about conviction review can see that not only is it something you can do – even in a smaller jurisdiction; but it’s something that you should do.”

And while everyone’s view point appears to be looking forward, Gilbert stresses that reflection is also important. “It’s a very joyous moment,” Gilbert said. “But, there’s also an aspect to this that is agonizing, when we think about the irreparable nature of the harm that our system has inflicted on Mr. Veney and Mr. Jones.”