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John Montgomery’s family thanks Innocence Project for taking on his case

Posted at 3:09 PM, Nov 18, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-19 00:44:28-05

Hampton, Va. - Dave Montgomery released this statement today thanking the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project for taking up John’s case.

“First and foremost, we would like to thank the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project for stepping in on John’s case. Even with the Thanksgiving holiday on the horizon, we are confident that everyone is doing everything they can to clear his name and expedite his release.

Previous: Innocence Project takes on Montgomery case

We would also like to thank both the Tidewater and Richmond area communities for embracing John’s situation and their continued support as if it were their own son, grandson, brother, nephew or friend.

Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Our family knows, as you do, that Governor McDonnell and Attorney General Cuccinnelli are fully aware of John’s situation and they have stated that they would do everything within their power to expediently facilitate reversing the injustice that befell upon John and our family. With a little help from above, we hope to soon see John outside the prison gates a free man.

“Before all of this happened, I loved to put up Christmas lights every year, I normally begin to put them up about now and have most of them up by Thanksgiving.

The only decoration going up until John gets home

The only decoration going up until John gets home

John hasn't been here to help me for the past three years and we really haven’t had the heart when it came time to put up lights. I did anyhow but not without the sorrow of knowing John was behind bars.

The big star in front of the house was named "John's Star" because he helped build it and hoist it up into the tree in November 2008 during his last days of freedom. It has become a ritual that this star is the first decoration to go up and the last to come down each year as it stays plugged in 24/7 for the entire holiday period.

This year it is the only Christmas decoration going up until John gets home and it will remain plugged in 24/7 until he does.

We put it up as we tried unsuccessfully to hold back out tears.

Hopefully soon, you will be able to drive by the house and see John and I together out front celebrating both his release and the holiday season.”