Robber sent to prison 13 years late due to clerical error is released
A judge has ordered the release of a Missouri man sent to prison 13 years late because of a clerical error.
The convicted robber, Cornealious “Mike” Anderson, stayed out of trouble those 13 years, but he was sent to prison last July when the mistake was discovered. On Monday, Judge Terry Lynn Brown of Mississippi County freed Anderson after giving him credit for time served for his days outside of prison, report the Associated Press, the Washington Post, Reuters and the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Brown cited Anderson’s exemplary behavior in the interim. Anderson got married, had children and started a construction business after his conviction. He filed his taxes, listed his Webster Groves address on his driver’s license, got construction permits and paid for business licenses.
“You’ve been a good father. You’ve been a good husband. You’ve been a good taxpaying citizen of the state of Missouri,” Brown said. Continued incarceration “would be a waste of taxpayer dollars. You obviously are a rehabilitated man.”
As he left the courthouse, Anderson said told reporters he was very happy. “My faith has always been in God. I’m just so thankful. I just thank God for everybody,” he said.
