The long-running authorized battle of the “Winston-Salem 5” reached a turning level on Friday when a decide overturned their convictions and dismissed all prices in reference to the 2002 killing of Nathaniel Jones — the grandfather of NBA star Chris Paul.
WYMY Information 2 studies that Jones was crushed to demise within the carport of his Winston-Salem dwelling in November 2002. The assault occurred simply someday after a then-17-year-old Paul introduced his dedication to play basketball at Wake Forest College.
The choice brings long-awaited reduction for brothers Nathaniel Cauthen and Rayshawn Banner, who’ve spent greater than 20 years behind bars serving life sentences for against the law they’ve all the time maintained they didn’t commit.
How the Case Started
WYMY Information 2 states that, throughout the unique investigation, Winston-Salem police arrested 5 teenage boys in connection to Jones’ demise. All had been between 14 and 15 years outdated on the time.
- Nathaniel Cauthen – 15 years outdated
- Rayshawn Banner – 14 years outdated
- Dorrell Brayboy – 15 years outdated
- Christopher Bryant – 15 years outdated
- Jermal Tolliver – 15 years outdated
In line with court docket data cited by WYMY Information 2, Cauthen and Banner had been convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life in jail.
Brayboy, Bryant, and Tolliver had been convicted of second-degree homicide and common-law theft.
Over time, Brayboy, Bryant, and Tolliver had been launched from jail — however the injury was carried out. Brayboy handed away in 2019, by no means seeing his title totally cleared.
A Witness Recants and New Proof Emerges
In line with WYMY Information 2, the primary main break got here in 2020 when the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Fee held a listening to to overview the boys’s innocence claims. It was there that Jessica Black, a key witness for the prosecution, recanted her testimony.
Black testified that she lied in court docket as a result of legislation enforcement pressured her, a revelation that forged severe doubt over the unique convictions.
Regardless of the recantation, WYMY Information 2 studies that in 2022, Cauthen, Banner, Bryant, and Tolliver’s request for exoneration was denied after a separate listening to.
Motions for Aid and the 2025 Breakthrough
WYMY Information 2 states that in 2023, attorneys filed motions for applicable reduction on behalf of Cauthen and Banner. These filings cited a number of points, together with:
- The recanted witness testimony
- Unidentified DNA profiles from the crime scene
- Proof pointing to false confessions
- Ineffective help of counsel throughout the unique trial
An evidentiary listening to started in January 2025, permitting the protection to current all supporting proof.
Expenses Dismissed, Lives Modified
WYMY Information 2 studies that on August 8, 2025, the court docket lastly sided with the protection — overturning all convictions and dismissing prices in opposition to the Winston-Salem 5.
Lawyer Christine Mumma, who represented two of the boys, confirmed the end result, stating:
“Convictions had been overturned and prices had been dismissed for the ‘Winston-Salem 5.’”
For Cauthen and Banner, the choice means freedom for the primary time in additional than twenty years. For the households of all 5 males, it marks the top of a painful chapter that started after they had been nonetheless youngsters.
It’s not day by day that the justice system admits it bought it unsuitable. This case is a reminder of how wrongful convictions can steal complete lives. These males had been children after they had been locked away. Now, after years of preventing, they’re stepping right into a world that’s modified past recognition.
The Winston-Salem 5’s story is not only about freedom — it’s concerning the resilience required to maintain pushing when the system is stacked in opposition to you.
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