Lamar Roberson, a prisoner at the Federal Correctional Institution at Estill, South Carolina, was passing time in his unit on Dec. 18 when he was told to go to the warden’s office. He had served 25 years behind bars, having been sentenced to life without parole for selling crack. The warden put him on the phone with Amber Shushan, his attorney. Shushan told him that the clemency petition that Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan had filed on his behalf had been successful. He would be going home soon.
“If you could see a grown man shed tears,” says Roberson, recalling his reaction. On February 16, he walked out of prison to restart his life with his wife of 28 years, Caroline, their four children and two grandchildren in Savannah. Roberson got a job at Savannah’s Savage, Turner & Pinckney, hired by the lawyer who defended him back when he was convicted. “He’s always had a good heart,” says Brent Savage. “He would send me Christmas cards from prison.” Roberson’s responsibilities include serving subpoenas and various office chores. In early June he went to the home of a paraplegic client to help the man get to his deposition.
