logo

Family Speaks up after Confession Failed to Free North Carolina Man Who Died in Prison

Oyin Balogun
Apr 16, 2019
05:40 A.M.

Family of a man who was convicted of two counts of murder in 1984 are still adamant that their loved one isn't guilty of the crimes he was claimed to have committed and are bereaved after he died in prison.

Advertisement

WHY WAS WAYNE CONVICTED?

In 1984, a Fayetteville couple (Roland and Lisa Matthews,) were stabbed and shot in their home, and three men ( Lee Hunt, Jerry Cashwell, and a third man) were convicted for the atrocious crime. The couple who were killed's two-year-old daughter was found on her bed untouched.

Late Lee Wayne Hunt who was convicted of murdering Roland and Lisa Mathew in their home in 1985 maintained his innocence till his death | Youtube/Associated Press

Late Lee Wayne Hunt who was convicted of murdering Roland and Lisa Mathew in their home in 1985 maintained his innocence till his death | Youtube/Associated Press

Advertisement

But unlike the other men who were involved in the murder, Lee Wayne Hunt maintained that he was innocent and wasn't involved in the crime throughout the trials. The court, however, had more compelling evidence, and Hunt was found guilty and charged accordingly. The primary evidence that tied Lee to the crimes was a lead-content comparison of bullets that Hunt owned to shells found at the crime scene — a comparison technique the FBI abandoned in 2005 after the method faced scientific criticism.

THE CONFESSION

Decades after the crime happened, attorney Staples Hughes who represented Cashwell in the case came forward in 2007 to reveal that his client confessed to him that Hunt had nothing to do with the murder.

Advertisement
Roland and Lisa Mathew murdered in their home in 1984 | Youtube/Associated Press

Roland and Lisa Mathew murdered in their home in 1984 | Youtube/Associated Press

Mr. Hughes also reported that according to the law, he was legally bound and couldn't say anything because of the attorney-client privilege. But after Mr. Cashwell passed away, he decided to come forward, risk his license been revoked and speak the truth. The judges, unfortunately, did not buy this and refused to exonerate Hunt based on the new revelation.

Advertisement

“If you believe what my client told me, and I believe my client, that Mr. Hunt didn’t do this, then it just becomes so terrible and so sad,” Hughes told The Associated Press.

Through all these, Hunt maintained his innocence and hoped that he'd somehow get out of it someday. Although unfortunately, unlike some lucky wrongful convicted cases, that day never came before the 59-year-old's demise.

HUNT'S DEATH

On February 13th, Hunt passed away at Rex Hospital in Raleigh after he was transported to the clinic a week prior due to complaints of heart problems.

Advertisement

REACTIONS FROM HIS FAMILY

The unfortunate demise of Hunt shocked his family who had no idea he had been taken to the hospital or was even sick. His daughter Heather Allen revealed to the "Associated Press" that they were only called by the "Maury Correctional Institution" after her father had passed away.

Family of late Lee Wayne Hunt who was convicted of murdering Roland and Lisa Mathew in their home in 1985 maintained his innocence till his death | Youtube/Associated Press

Family of late Lee Wayne Hunt who was convicted of murdering Roland and Lisa Mathew in their home in 1985 maintained his innocence till his death | Youtube/Associated Press

Advertisement

Allen also mentioned that her father always maintained his innocence and had hoped he would be freed one day, stating that in his words,

“If they don’t find out while I’m here, hopefully, the truth will come out when I’m not here. He always talked about the Lord, and he always believed things would come to a light one day,” she said.

But even though Hunt's family are sure he didn't commit the crimes, the family of the victim believed he killed Roland and Lisa Matthews thereby leaving their then 22-month-old daughter an orphan.

Regardless, it is a sad news and may Lee Hunt's soul rest in peace!

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Sam Hunt Once Made 7 Attempts to Win His Wife Back — Now Hannah Lee Fowler Is Divorcing Him

February 22, 2022

Man Mourns Death of Pregnant Wife, Says She 'Left behind the Most Beautiful Gift' of Their Baby's Life

May 03, 2022

Man Buys Old Camera and Finds Note Requesting to Find a Girl Named Susie Berger — Story of the Day

April 01, 2022

After Millionaire Husband’s Death, Old Widow Is Forced to Live In Dirty Old Trailer – Story of the Day

May 22, 2022

Young Woman Adopts an Orphan Boy and Finds Out He Is Her Biological Brother – Story of the Day

March 22, 2022

Twins Send Dad to Nursing Home, Learn He Left Inheritance to Janitor Who Is Their Carbon Copy – Story of the Day

February 13, 2022

Widowed Mom Learns Her Son Escapes Home Every Night, He Returns One Day with Bag Full of Cash – Story of the Day

April 11, 2022

Three Men Claiming to Be Orphan Girl’s Father Show Up at Her Easter Celebration – Story of the Day

April 20, 2022

Woman Leaves Dad in Wheelchair on the Street Promising to Return Soon & Comes Back 12 Years Later – Story of the Day

April 07, 2022

Days after Mother's Death, Woman Finds a Tiny Door behind the Wardrobe in Her Old House — Story of the Day

February 12, 2022

Little Girl Grabs Dirty Homeless Man’s Hand and Takes Him to Her House — Story of the Day

March 29, 2022

Woman Is Admitted to Hospital to Deliver Quintuplets, Doctors Say She's Not Pregnant at All

April 27, 2022

Mom Meets Son at Cemetery and Asks Why He Was There, 'I Don't Know Who You Are,' He Answers – Story of the Day

February 21, 2022

Poor Girl Sells Family Heirloom for Grandma’s Operation, Sees It on Her Doorstep Days Later — Story of the Day

February 22, 2022