RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Edward McInnis served 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and now Gov. Pat McCrory has granted him a Pardon of Innocence.

McInnis was convicted in 1988 of several felony charges and was sentenced to life in prison.  DNA evidence now shows that he was not responsible.

 In August, the District Attorney’s Office for Hoke and Scotland counties filed a Motion for Appropriate Relief based on the newly discovered evidence.  Superior Court Judge Tanya Wallace ordered him to be released.

The governor's office says McCrory met personally with McInnis this week.
 
McInnis is eligible to file a claim under a North Carolina law that allows compensation of up to $750,000 to persons wrongly convicted of felonies.