Ryan Ferguson spent nine years and eight months behind bars for the murder of Kent Heitholt — but he eventually won his freedom and even appeared onThe Amazing Race.
Ryan Ferguson / TwitterRyan Ferguson , figure shortly after his exoneration and sack , in 2014 .
Though most latterly get it on for his appearing on season 33 ofThe Amazing Race , Ryan Ferguson had been through much more grueling trials before he appeared on the competitive realness show . At 19 years one-time , Ferguson waswrongfully convictedfor the murder of Kent Heitholt , the sports editor of theColumbia Daily Tribune .
For over a decade , Ferguson proclaimed his innocence and in 2013 was finally exonerated after an investigation uncover viewer coercion , lack of evidence , and a mishandled prosecution .
Ryan Ferguson/TwitterRyan Ferguson, pictured shortly after his exoneration and release, in 2014.
Now out of prison , Ryan W. Ferguson is not only living as a free homo and working as a personal trainer , he even desire to avail the man who accused him regain his exemption .
The Murder Of Kent Heitholt
On Nov. 1 , 2001,Columbia Daily Tribunesports editor in chief Kent Heitholt stand in the parking lot of the paper ’s office at 2 a.m. , chitchat with coworker Michael Boyd . A few minute later , facility staff member Shawna Ornt exited the building for a break and spotted two masses around Heitholt ’s gondola .
One of the multitude yelled for her to get help , so Ornt go to get her supervisor Jerry Trump while other employees call 911 . Heitholt had been beaten and stifle to death just minute after adjoin with Boyd .
When the constabulary arrived , Ornt pronounce she got a good looking at at the two men and chip in the description that became the composite vignette , but Trump say he could not see the man clearly enough to identify them . At the scene , law found several fingerprint , footprint and a string of hair . Despite the grounds , the case went inhuman .
GlassdoorKent Heitholt was killed in the parking lot of the Columbia Daily Tribune.
GlassdoorKent Heitholt was killed in the parking mess of the Columbia Daily Tribune .
Two years by and by , Charles Erickson run into new coverage of the case in the local intelligence and claims he set out having dream about the murder . The article let in the composite survey string from Ornt ’s verbal description , and he trust it calculate like him . Erickson and Ryan Ferguson had been partying for Halloween near the crime aspect , but because Erickson was under the influence of drug and alcohol , he could n’t remember the upshot of that nighttime .
Erickson began to marvel if they had been involved , but Ferguson reassured him that it was not potential .
Youtube/TODAYRyan Ferguson, with the help of his parents and lawyer Kathleen Zellner, was able to be retried in court.
Erickson tell other friends about his vexation , and those friends went to the police . Once Erickson was at the police station , he could not recall any details about the crime and admitted he could be making up the story he was tell . Despite this , Erickson and Ferguson were arrested in March 2004 , and Erickson was reach a plea sight to testify against Ferguson at the run . On the stand , he tell the criminal offence , but the defense was capable to argue against all claim .
Jerry Trump , who went to prison in 2003 for an unrelated crime , took the stand and attest that his married woman had sent him a news clause while in prison house and at that moment he did recognize the two man that dark . This contradicted his original statement from the dark of the crime when he say he did n’t get a good looking at at the perpetrator .
Additionally , none of the forcible grounds compile at the prospect was able to be matched to either of the two men . Despite this deficiency of grounds and undependable testimony , Ryan Ferguson was convict of 2d - degree murder and sentence to 40 years in prison .
Ryan Ferguson Fights For His Freedom
Youtube / TODAYRyan Ferguson , with the help of his parents and lawyer Kathleen Zellner , was able-bodied to be retried in court .
In 2009 , Ryan Ferguson ’s case caught the attention of high - profile lawyer Kathleen Zellner , who took on his case and successfully succeed a retrial in 2012 . Zellner questioned Trump , Ornt , and Erickson who all accommodate they lie — and that they were coerced into it by public prosecutor Kevin Crane .
Trump stated he was give the article and picture of Ferguson by Crane , while Ornt and Erickson said they were threatened . Zellner decided to put Michael Boyd — the last person to see Heitholt alive — on the stand at Ferguson ’s retrial . Boyd , who was n’t called as a witness in the original trial , was capable to give a complete timeline of the night Heitholt was killed . Zellner also discovered that evidence had been withheld from the defense team . As a result , Ferguson ’s condemnation was overturned after serving a quarter of his sentence .
In 2020 , Ferguson was awarded $ 11 million , one million for every twelvemonth he was jug , and one million for legal costs . His flush were cleared because the homage ruled there was not enough grounds to support a sentence .
Despite Erickson having take the stand against him , Fergusonsayshe want to aid Erickson , presently serving 25 years for the crime , to get his freedom .
“ There are more innocent mass in prison , including Erickson … I know that he was used and pull wires and I kind of sense gloomy for the guy , ” Ferguson state . “ He ask help , he needs support , he does n’t belong in prison . ”
Ryan Ferguson ’s category has offered a $ 10,000 reward for any information to puzzle out the vitrine . Meanwhile Erickson has filed two orison for a writ of habeas corpus , both of which were denied . His most current appeal is still pending .
When he was in prison house , Ryan Ferguson ’s dad told him to do whatever he need to protect himself and as a answer , Ferguson focused on exercise , finally becoming a personal trainer . After his release , he starred on the MTV seriesUnlocking the Truth , but said he struggled to notice unconstipated work because of his public reputation . Ferguson can be seen on the current season ofThe Amazing Race , where he is open about his experience of immurement and hope for the future .
After record about Ryan Ferguson ’s wrongful conviction , learn about the wrongful conviction ofJoe Arridy . Then , read aboutThomas Silverstein , a captive who spent 36 geezerhood in sole confinement .
