Man freed from jail after 24 years and awarded $6 million from city commits murder

A man who was freed from jail and awarded $6 million after being “wrongfully convicted” of murder has done the unthinkable after being released.

For 24 years, Shaurn Thomas was in prison for a crime he says he did not commit.

The 50-year-old was locked up for life back in 1992 after being found guilty of the 1990 robbery and murder of a businessman in Philadelphia.

However in 2017, his conviction was overturned and he was exonerated after a judge saw issues with the police investigation and their interrogation tactics.

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project also helped to secure his release after stating that he was nowhere near the murder scene.

Thomas was awarded over $4 million by the city. Picture: The Innocence Project

Thomas received a whopping USD$4.1 million (AUD$6.4 million) payout from the city for the wrongful conviction and for the last seven years, has been enjoying his freedom.

But in a jaw-dropping twist, he has just admitted to the 2023 killing of a different man over a $1200 drug debt – and now, will likely go back to jail for the rest of his life.

Thomas shot and killed Akeem Edwards, 38, back in January 2023, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Earlier this week, he pleaded guilty to the charge of third-degree murder and weapons offences.

He will be sentenced in February.

The judge, Roxanne Covington, was reportedly gobsmacked that Thomas, who is now a multi-millionaire, would kill someone over a relatively measly drug debt.

“Are these facts true?” she asked Thomas, after prosecutors explained how he tracked down and shot the victim in cold blood.

“Yes, your honour,” he replied.

He was in jail for 24 years. Picture: ABC

The newspaper reported that Thomas allegedly told his girlfriend, Ketra Veasy, that he had been involved in at least three other homicides over the course of his life.

Whether this includes the 1990 murder he was originally sent to jail for is unknown.

Edwards’ loved ones spoke out against Thomas after the plea hearing.

“There’s not enough time for them to possibly give him,” his sister, Tyeisha Marshall, said of Thomas.

She added that her brother was genuine and a loving father before he was murdered.

Upon his release from prison in 2017, Thomas said he had “no animosity” toward the police, and planned to “just move on forward,” according to ABC News.

He had also joined a network of other locals who were freed from prison after having their convictions overturned.

He will now likely spend the rest of his life in jail. Picture: Supplied

Thomas’ crimes were discovered after a federal informant told homicide detectives that he had discussed Edwards’ murder with him.

The informant also claimed that he put out a hit on his girlfriend out of concern she might co-operate with investigators.

This led to a search of his home, where police discovered five guns and a Gap hoodie that resembled the one Edwards’ shooter wore.

Thomas was then arrested and charged with illegal gun possession, but was released on bail.

He did not deny any of the claims in court earlier this week and pleaded guilty to six crimes, including third-degree murder, conspiracy and illegal gun possession.

He was freed in 2017. Picture: Fox News

For many years, Thomas was one of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project’s most inspiring success stories.

They have not made a public statement since his admission.

“The mission of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project is to exonerate those convicted of crimes they did not commit, to prevent innocent people from being prosecuted and convicted, and to help those wrongfully convicted transition to freedom,” they state on their website.

The project was founded in 2008 by a group of lawyers as a non-profit mission under the leadership of David Richman and David Rudovsky.

Since their inception, they have secured or helped to secure the exoneration of 21 men and women, including Thomas.