Man Wrongly-Convicted Gets Job Back with White Sox After Release
He spent 23 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, now Nevest Coleman is reporting back to work for the Chicago White Sox.
Coleman was 25 the first time he worked as a groundskeeper for the White Sox. In 1994, he was convicted for the rape and murder of a Chicago woman and was then sentenced to life in prison without parole.
After DNA that was found on the victim was linked to a serial rapist, Coleman was released in 2017.
Coleman's friends and family contacted the team after he was freed to help him get his old job back. The White Sox were happy to welcome him back to the grounds keeping crew he was once a part of.
See video on Nevest Coleman returning to work on CNN.com
He returned to work on Monday for his first day back, lunch in hand. He was greeted with hugs and smiles by two of his friends, who are still on the grounds crew. Coleman was issued and new jacket and hat, then got back to work. He got busy pressure washing the sidewalk, getting the ballpark ready for opening day April 5th.
Since he's been gone the ballpark has seen some major changes. Not only has it had extensive renovations, but it's now called Guaranteed Rate Field. In 1994 it was known as Comiskey Park. To be honest, I still call it that.
Good on the Chicago White Sox for welcoming this man back and helping him get his life back to normal after being wrongfully convicted.Coleman says that even after all this time away the team has never not made him feel welcome. Saying it still feels like family.