Wrongfully Convicted Man Meets His Longtime Pen Pal For The First Time

April 24, 2023

Lamar Johnson and Ginny Schrappen struck up a fast friendship and corresponded constantly for decades while Johnson was in prison, serving time for a murder he didn't commit.

When he was freed, they finally met for the first time.

Lamar and Ginny / CBS Evening News

In 1995, Johnson was convicted of fatally shooting a man and received a life sentence.

A couple of years later, a minister at Schrappen's church handed her a letter. It was from Johnson and addressed to anyone who would write back.

The two strangers struck up a fast friendship and corresponded constantly over the next two-and-a-half decades.

Johnson always claimed he did not commit the murder -- and 28 years later his conviction was overturned.

On February 14, 2023, Johnson was released from prison at 49 years old. A few weeks later, Johnson met Schrappen for the first time.

Watch the video below.