It is hard to believe that the next America’s Got Talent winner could be a man who spent 37 years of his life in jail for a crime he did not commit. His name is Archie Williams and his story is one of inspiration.
His fingerprints were not found at the scene of the crime and three people also testified that Williams was at home at the time of the crime, however, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1983. His crime they said - raping and stabbing a 30-year-old white woman at her home in Baton Rouge, Louisianna.
Williams was exonerated and freed last year when DNA technology was used to try his case again and proved him to be innocent.
It was while he was incarcerated that Williams used his love of singing to help him escape the “nightmare “ that he found himself in. He told the judges that he used to visualise himself on the show while watching it in prison.
He also told them that he knew he was innocent," But being a poor black kid, I didn't have the ability to fight the state of Louisiana."
His audition for the show was described by Simon Cowell as something he "will never forget for the whole of my life".
The audience and judges were astounded by his story – then they were astounded by his voice.
Watch his audition right here.
We wish you the very best of luck Archie!
Falsely imprisoned for 37 years, @Archieisfree is here and his voice is heard. His second chance begins on #AGT this Tuesday 8/7c on @NBC. pic.twitter.com/aHh4hKydGw
— America's Got Talent (@AGT) May 22, 2020
