Source: Overseas Network
Joseph Reagan (video screenshot)
Recently, the oldest juvenile offender in the United States was released after serving 68 years in prison, and he was extremely surprised and amazed when he saw the skyscraper after he was released from prison.
On Feb. 11, a federal judge ruled that detention was unconstitutional, and Joseph Ligon, 83, was freed, the Sun reported. After being released from prison, Reagan returned to his hometown of Philadelphia. Ligan said: "I am admiring all the tall buildings. It was brand new to me. In the past, this simply didn't exist. ”
Currently, some volunteers in Philadelphia are helping him adjust to his new life. Eleanor Miles, senior consultant for the Volunteer Project, said: "Ligan was incredibly pleased and surprised by the changes in Philadelphia since 1953, particularly the high-rises. The world has changed a lot since Ligan went to jail. He spoke of his deceased family members who could no longer be together. He missed them especially. ”
In 1953, Reagan was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in a violent robbery, when he was only 15 years old. As a member of a gang of drunken teenagers, Reagan went on a rampage in Philadelphia, killing 2 people and stabbing 6 others. He admitted to being involved in crimes with others, but denied killing himself. As the youngest member of the gang, he considered himself an outsider and scapegoat for the incident.
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling calling life sentences for juveniles cruel and unconventional punishments. After an appeal, in 2017, Reagan was sentenced to 35 years of life parole. But Reagan refused parole, insisting that he be released completely. He has since remained in detention. During this time, lawyers continued to defend him. Finally, in November 2020, a federal judge ruled that Reagan was required to be released within 90 days. (Overseas Network/Li Fang Internship Compilation/Yu Yu)
![In court, juvenile offenders mocked the families of the victims, thinking that they had no fear, and the outcome was very happy[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)