HOUSTON—Ernest Sonnier was released from prison after spending more than 20 years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.
He knows what Michael Green is about to go through.
Green was released on Friday after DNA evidence showed he did not commit the rape he was convicted of 27 years ago.
Sonnier was freed after 23 years and walked into a life he hardly remembered in August 2009. He’s living at home with his parents in northeast Houston.
He talked to us on his family’s porch swing.
"I’m not used to coming out, enjoy myself. Aint got to worry about going in at a certain time or whatever," says Sonnier.
At the age of 23, Sonnier was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and rape and was sent to prison for life.
The wheels of justice started turning again after his mother contacted a national organization called the Innocence Project.
Sonnier admits that he’s still frustrated because he missed his nieces and nephews growing up and never got to do what so many take from granted.
"I just never had a chance to grow up like a man," says Sonnier. "Do things a man was supposed to do for his family. I didn’t get that chance, you know. They took it all away."
When Sonnier was released at the age of 46, his family was waiting for him and so was a group called Exoneree Brothers of Texas. They are all former inmates who were wrongfully convicted.
Just like for Sonnier, the men were back outside the Harris County Jail waiting for Green to be released.
Billy Smith served 19 years in prison and says it was tough when he got out.
"I still was embarrassed for people to see me when I got out," says Smith. "So, I know what he’s going through."
James Giles is another member of the group. He admits that the hardest part for him was letting his family back into his life.
"They hadn’t seen me in so long. Right now, give me time to accept y’all," Giles would tell his family. "Give me time to get back to life in the free world."
Sonnier has been out of prison almost a year. He’s slowly learning what he’s been missing since 1986.
"I knew there were a lot of things that were not here when I left like cell phones and what technology is today."
