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How Long Were The Central Park Five In Prison? Netflix's 'When They See Us' Tells Their Story

The Real-Life Sentences Of The Central Park Five
The Real-Life Sentences Of The Central Park Five
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The Netflix miniseries When They See Us, directed by Ava DuVernay, debuts today, and tells the true story of the Central Park Five , five Black and Latinx boys, ages 14 to 16, who were wrongfully accused of raping and beating a woman known as the Central Park Jogger in 1989.

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They were accused of raping and brutally beating, Trisha Meili, a 28-year-old white woman who was jogging in Central Park after work. Meili was found with a fractured skull, naked, tied up, and gagged near a wooded section of the park, according to the New York Times . She woke up from a coma 12 days later with no memory of what happened to her.

Before their convictions were overturned, each member of the Central Park Five spent a significant amount of time in prison. Here's how much time they served before their 2002 exonerations:

Yusef Salaam

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Netflix's
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Found guilty of rape and assault, according to the Innocence Project (the organization that eventually helped exonerate the men) Salaam was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison when he was 14 years old. He was released after 6 years and 8 months.

Since his release, Salaam has become a father, inspirational speaker, and the recipient of a 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award given to him by President Barack Obama.

Korey Wise

"When They See Us" World Premiere
"When They See Us" World Premiere

At 16 years old, Wise was convicted of assault, sexual abuse, and riot, per the Innocence Project . He served 12 years in prison for his five-to-15-year sentence. Of the five, Wise was the only one tried as an adult.

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After changing his first name to Korey from Kharey, Wise donated $190,000 (a portion of the $41 million dollar the Central Park Five was awarded by the state of New York) to the Innocence Project. The Colorado chapter of the organization is now named after him. He is an advocate for those who've been wrongly convicted and lives in New York.

Kevin Richardson

"When They See Us" World Premiere
"When They See Us" World Premiere

Richardson served five and a half years of his five-to-10-year sentence, according to the Innocence Project . He was charged and convicted at 14 years old for attempted murder, rape, sodomy, and robbery.

Richardson, now married with children, works with the Innocence Project speaking about criminal justice reform.

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Raymond Santana

"When They See Us" World Premiere
"When They See Us" World Premiere

For a crime he did not commit, Santana was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison for rape and assault. He served five years, per the Innocence Project , from ages 14 to 19.

Santana is now living in Georgia with his daughter. He started a clothing company called Park Madison NYC , per People . Some of the apparel features Santana's mugshot and the names of the Central Park Five, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Innocence Project.

Antron McCray

"When They See Us" World Premiere
"When They See Us" World Premiere

At 15 years old, Antron McCray was convicted of rape and assault, per the Innocence Project , and sentenced to five to 10 years in prison. He served six years before his exoneration.

Today, McCray is a father living in Georgia and working as a forklift operator, according to Elle .

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