LUBBOCK, Texas — EverythingLubbock.com previously reported on the story of Garland “ Butch” Martin, a man who was exonerated after spending 25 years in prison . On Friday, Oct. 25, a reporter sat down with Martin to talk about his experience.
In February 1998, Martin was charged with setting his home on fire and killing his wife and two kids. Martin would spend the next two decades in prison until the Innocence Project of Texas was able to prove his innocence .
He said all of the time behind bars was really tough, especially knowing he didn’t start the fire in the first place and was also mourning the loss of his family.
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“Prison is a cakewalk after losing your family,” Martin said.
Still, Martin didn’t know if he’d ever get out.
“Lawyers trying to help me get out … and some of them came and went,” Martin said. He didn’t know if their hearts were really in it.
However, when Allison Clayton, the Deputy Director of the Innocence Project of Texas stepped in 10 years ago, everything changed.