Exonerated After 37 Years in Prison, Robert Duboise Speaks
Robert DuBoise and Andrew Warren explain his exoneration and life afterward
I heard a fascinating story this morning from Robert DuBoise, a man convicted of rape and murder and spent 37 years in prison until he was exonerated in 2020 with the help of the former state's attorney Andrew Warren.
His story of spending years on death row was succinct, captivating, and, most surprisingly, positive. Many others in the audience and I wondered why he wasn't bitter about his time behind bars. His simple answer was that he saw so much hate on death row, where someone would threaten to stab another inmate if they simply bumped into one another that he did not want that hate in his heart.
State Attorney candidate Andrew Warren explains the establishment of the Conviction Review Unit he started while in office
Robert DuBoise, convicted the exonerated of rape and murder, explains why he is not angry after 37 years in prison
Tried and convicted of Capital Murder and Attempted Sexual Battery in 1985, he was sentenced to death and sent to prison. After three years on death row, The Florida Supreme Court reversed the sentence and substituted it for life in prison plus fifty years. He maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration. After years of working with the Innocence Project, he was released in 2020.
DuBoise discussed the culture shock of life outside of prison after nearly 40 years, spending hours trying to work a cell phone, figure out self-check-out- at the grocery store, and generally adjusting to life in the 2020s. In addition, he has been thrown into the media spotlight. After his presentation, he gave a 15-minute interview surrounded by cameras and reporters asking about his experience. One has to wonder how all the attention impacts him as well.
Robert DuBoise describes some of his experiences following his release from prison after 37 years. He spoke with the media after he and State Attorney candidate Andrew Warren presented at Cafe Con Tampa.
Robert DuBoise and Andrew Warren face the media after their presentation at Cafe Con Tampa
It's curious how all of the media attention impacts DuBoise,
Andrew Warren spoke about the impact of the Conviction Review Unit he established as part of the State Attorney's office. Warren, seeking re-election after being tossed out of office by Governor Ron DeSantis, did his best to avoid questions about the controversial way he was suspended. The governor replaced Warren with Susie Lopez, who is running against Warren for State Attorney in Tampa. Warren challenged his suspension in federal court, and Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that his suspension violated his First Amendment rights but said he lacked the power to reinstate him. Warren addressed some of those concerns, including his thoughts about DeSantis suspending him again should he be re-elected. He is taking a wait-and-see approach.
What a story from DuBoise. What an impressive man. How would you feel?