WNBA Star Maya Moore Marries Man She Helped Free from Wrongful Conviction

On Wednesday’s episode of “Good Morning America,” Maya Moore announced that she’d gotten married to the man she’d helped free after he was wrongfully convicted.

On a recent “Good Morning America (GMA)” episode, WNBA player Maya Moore, 31, appeared remotely with Jonathan Irons, 40. He is a man who was wrongfully convicted and spent 23 years in prison.

During the interview, Robin Roberts asked the pair if they had something to share with everyone before they proceeded. Moore then said:

"We wanted to announce today that we are super excited to continue the work that we are doing together, but doing it as a married couple."

MOORE GETS MARRIED

While smiling alongside her new husband, she revealed that they had gotten married a few months ago. She explained that they were “excited to just continue this new chapter of life together” as Irons showed off his wedding band.

Jonathan Irons explained that he didn’t want to shackle Maya Moore to him while he was still in prison.

On the screen snippets of the couple’s wedding were aired. The special event included following novel coronavirus outbreak safety guidelines like wearing face masks and socially distancing.

WHEN SHE MET JONATHAN

Moore was introduced to Irons when she was 18 and in a prison ministry program. She noted how their romantic feelings progressed gradually as they got to know each other.

While still at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, Irons proposed to the basketball star but asked her not to respond because he wasn’t sure at the time if he’d ever be free. He explained that he didn’t want to shackle her to him while he was still in prison.

IRONS’S SECOND PROPOSAL

However, the day he was released in July 2020, he proposed to her again while they were at a hotel and she said yes. Irons ended up in prison for a 50-year sentence when he was 16 after being tried and convicted as an adult by an all-white jury.

WHAT IRONS WAS ACCUSED OF

He was accused of the burglary and shooting at the home of Stanley Stotler, 38. He maintained his innocence even while in prison stating he’d been wrongly identified during the lineup.

CASE GETS OVERTURNED

In March 2020, a Missouri judge overturned his conviction noting some problems with the way the case had been tried and investigated. A fingerprint report was also presented which would've proved Irons' innocence but was never handed over to his defense team.

TAKING TIME TO HELP IRONS

In January 2020, the Minnesota Lynx basketball player announced that she was taking time to focus on her advocacy work. For a second straight season, the star chose to focus her efforts on advocating for Irons.