Richard Anthony Jones freed after judge rules conviction was unsound

RICHARD Anthony Jones spent 17 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. It was only when his lookalike was found that he was freed.

Richard Anthony Jones, left and his lookalike Ricky, on the right. Picture: Kansas City Police Department

A MISCARRIAGE of justice victim who spent 17 years locked up for a crime he didn’t commit has been set free after police found his lookalike.

Richard Anthony Jones from Kansas City, Kansas, was released after the judge declared his conviction was unsound.

Jones had been jailed for armed robbery in 1999 after an eyewitness said he was the robber.

But during a new hearing into his case this same witness could not tell Jones from a man called Ricky who looks just like him, The Sun reported.

Richard Anthony Jones, right, does appear to look very similar to his lookalike, left. Picture: Kansas City Police Department

Jones also lived on the other side of Kansas while his lookalike lived where the robbery happened.

It also turned out that there was no physical, DNA or fingerprint evidence.

After being released, Jones told the Kansas City Star: “I don’t believe in luck, I believe I was blessed.”

Jones had unsuccessfully appealed his case several times.

But two years ago he heard about a man in jail who looked just like him and even shared his first name.

Richard Anthony Jones pictured reunited with his family following his release. Picture: gofundme

After realising this could be the man who committed the crime, Jones contacted the Midwest Innocent Project, a non-profit organisation that provides legal services to the wrongly-convicted.

A lawyer working on Jones’ case said: “We were floored by how much they looked alike.

“Everybody has a doppelganger, luckily we found his.”

Jones is now getting used to life on the outside and says he is happy to be back with his kids.

He said: “When it comes to my kids, it’s been a rough ride, but they are now at an age where they can understand.”

In a gofundme appeal launched two days ago page volunteer Nicole Marie said he spent the first 15 years of his prison sentence angry and couldn’t understand why he was there.

She then goes on to explain the mix up which led to his wrongful conviction.

Ms Marie goes on to explain how he was only released days ago and after spending 17 years behind bars is starting his life over.

“Richard can never get those 17 years with his children (and now grandchildren) back,” she writes.

“But every donation can help ease the injustice that took place. This money will help him assimilate back into society and allow him to spend time reconnecting with his family and friends after 17 long years. ”

- with news.com.au

This article has been republished with permission from The Sun.