Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne — known as the Waverly Two — were wrongfully incarcerated for more than 26 years in connection with the 1998 murder of a police officer in Waverly, Virginia.
In a federal trial, a jury acquitted both men of the murder charge. Despite that verdict, Terence and Ferrone were later sentenced to life in prison anyway, based on separate federal drug charges tied to the same incident. In imposing those sentences, the judge relied on sentencing laws that allowed punishment based on the murder conduct itself — even though a jury had already found them not guilty of that crime.
In January 2025, President Joe Biden granted federal clemency to both men, leading to their release from prison after more than two decades of wrongful incarceration.
While clemency secured their liberation, it did not constitute vindication. Life After Justice continues to support ongoing legal efforts to prove Terence and Ferrone were wrongfully convicted. Full vindication is essential to restoring their reputation and pursuing accountability for the decades of harm caused by their wrongful incarceration.
Currently, Terence's petition seeking review by the Virginia Supreme Court on his actual innocence case is set for hearing on February 18, 2026. Life After Justice remains committed to supporting both men as they rebuild their lives and continuing to fight for justice grounded in truth, dignity, and lived experience.
Terence Richardson
Released March 5, 2025
Terence Richardson was wrongfully incarcerated for more than 26 years following federal convictions that relied, in part, on testimony from a convicted perjurer. Life After Justice uncovered eyewitness evidence describing Officer Gibson's killer as a large man with dreadlocks — at the time of the incident, Terence wore his hair in braids or cornrows and was shorter than Officer Gibson, who described his assailant as skinny and tall. Despite this conflicting evidence, the Virginia Court of Appeals upheld his conviction. On March 5, 2025, Terence was released and welcomed home in the arms of his mother, his daughter, and supporters who had stood beside him for decades. Life After Justice continues to support Terence as he pursues full vindication through ongoing legal proceedings.
Ferrone Claiborne
Released April 8, 2025
Ferrone Claiborne spent more than 26 years wrongfully incarcerated following federal convictions arising from the Waverly case, despite serious flaws in the evidence used against him. Like his co-defendant, Ferrone was acquitted of the murder charge by a federal jury, yet still sentenced to life in prison. On April 8, 2025, Ferrone was released and reunited with his family. His homecoming was met with overwhelming love: his parents, his two sisters, his nieces and nephews, and the aunt whose early advocacy played a pivotal role in his release. Though the nature of his remaining state conviction means Ferrone is currently ineligible to pursue traditional actual innocence proceedings in Virginia, Life After Justice continues to support Ferrone in his pursuit of full vindication.
Case Story
Ivan Hodge:
Freedom Without Compromise
19 years wrongfully incarcerated \u00b7 Released August 8, 2024
Ivan Hodge was released from prison on August 8th, 2024, and reunited with his family after 19 years of wrongful incarceration, beginning when he was only 18 years old.
LAJ represented Ivan in his successful parole proceedings, during which he maintained his innocence. In Massachusetts, the parole board views acceptance of responsibility for the crime as a significant positive factor, increasing the likelihood of parole. Nonetheless, Ivan could not accept responsibility for a crime he did not commit and he pursued parole while maintaining his innocence.
The parole board unanimously granted his release. LAJ is continuing to assist Ivan through his reentry process.
Case Story
William "Bill" Cascone:
Restoring Honor After Injustice
Over 35 years wrongfully incarcerated \u00b7 Freed 2022 \u00b7 Exonerated 2023
Despite his innocence, William "Bill" Cascone spent over 35 years in prison for murder and arson. Through the efforts of the Boston College Innocence Program and Attorney David Grimaldi, Bill was freed in 2022 and fully exonerated in 2023.
At the time of his arrest in 1986, Bill was serving in the United States Marine Corps. Based solely on his wrongful civilian conviction, Bill was discharged from the Marines through involuntary administrative separation proceedings and received an "Other Than Honorable" character of service.
In 2024, LAJ submitted an application to the Board for Correction of Naval Records requesting that Bill's character of service be changed to "Honorable" and that all references to his criminal conviction be removed from his service record. In March 2025, the Board issued its final decision granting the requested relief.
While there is no way to make up for the years lost to wrongful conviction, LAJ is committed to supporting Bill as he reenters society and reclaims his life after justice.
