Back in 1978, Michael Ray Hanline was charged with the murder of J.T. McGarry. After an investigation and questionable trial, Hanline was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Hanline had always claimed his innocence throughout the case, and even when behind bars, not many believed him. A prime witness’ testimony was sealed and never heard in court, and the one “star witness” had accused Hanline of the crime, even though she could easily have had ulterior motives.
Hanline sent multiple petitions for freedom, but it wasn’t until 36 years later that he finally was given the chance to re-open the investigation. Using DNA technologies, investigators discovered that none of Hanline’s samples appeared at the crime scene, and in fact someone else seemed to be the culprit.
So when he was finally freed, there was one thing he had been craving ever since he had seen the television commercial: a Carl’s Jr. bacon cheeseburger. “My, oh my,” he said as he bit into the huge burger. “So that’s what meat tastes like?”
While 36 years behind bars is certainly an awful amount of time for an innocent man to be punished, Hanline is now taking the court to court! There is an incredible amount of evidence in his favor to make sure that this man gets what he deserves, and hopefully he’ll hire a good lawyer this time so he can afford all the burgers he could ever want for the rest of his life!
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