Спасенный из тюрьмы и его жена вернулись из поездки по США, оплаченной пожертвованиями сообщества

Exonerated man, wife return from trip funded by community donations Couple says California adventure included reunion with former correctional officer and a meaningful spiritual experience BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - After nearly 46 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, Wilbert Jones and his wife have returned from California, a trip funded by a generous community. Wilbert and Mary Jones said the time spent was a blessing in more ways than one. RELATED: Longest serving exonerated American now going blind, his dream to see the world After receiving the devastating news that Wilbert Jones’ glaucoma would eventually take all of his eyesight, the community helped raise over $12,000 for the couple to see the places Wilbert could only imagine behind bars. “God bless you and your giving; he is a God that reciprocates; when you give, he gives back to you,” Mary Jones said. Unexpected moments on the trip The couple said unexpected moments began when they boarded their flight, including seeing one of Wilbert’s former correctional officers on the same plane. “Surprised? Oh, was she, yes indeed!” Wilbert Jones said. “She gave me a dap and everything on the plane.” Among the many adventures on the trip, the couple visited Corriganville Park where his favorite western movies, including “Gunsmoke,” were filmed, according to Mary Jones. Stop at Revelation Church The couple said their most significant stop was Revelation Church. They said a pastor prayed over Wilbert, and his eyesight began to improve afterward. “God is good, and it’s a miracle,” Mary Jones said. Ophthalmologists note that vision loss from advanced glaucoma is medically progressive and generally irreversible. The Joneses say their reality lives in their faith. “Miracles still happen. You’ve got to believe that. I’ve seen it for myself because of my faith,” Wilbert Jones said. “If you have faith and believe that God can do the impossible, the impossible is yours,” Mary Jones said. New nonprofit planned The Joneses are starting a nonprofit called Justice Beyond the Verdict. “Here to help exonerees who have maxed out their compensation fund so they are not struggling in the future years,” Mary Jones said. “If you tack on 10 years to 70 years, you’re 80-plus years old, you still have mortgages, you still have car notes, you still have life to live,” Mary Jones said. The Joneses are finalizing paperwork for the nonprofit and plan to provide updates. Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline. Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Watch the latest WAFB news and weather now.