>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": RHODE ISLAND SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE JOINS ME ON THE LONG ROAD TO CONFIRMATION FOR RACHAEL ROLLINS AS U.S. ATTORNEY FOR MASSACHUSETTS, PLUS HIS FIGHT AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING AND GLOBAL FINANCIAL CORRUPTION AHEAD OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY.

THEN, LATER, TYRONE CLARK IS IN STUDIO FOR HIS FIRST TV INTERVIEW AFTER THE RAPE CONVICTION THAT LANDED HIM BEHIND BARS FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS WAS THROWN OUT.

HE JOINS ME, ALONG WITH HIS ATTORNEY, JEFFREY HARRIS, AND GBH NEWS' JENNIFER McKIM, WHO'S SPOKEN EXTENSIVELY TO THE VICTIM WHOSE TESTIMONY GOT CLARK CONVICTED AND THEN WROTE TO THE STATE SAYING SHE WASN'T SO SURE ANYMORE.

♪♪ >> Braude: MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS AND ABOUT 4,000 POLITICAL ROADBLOCKS SINCE SHE WAS NOMINATED, SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RACHAEL ROLLINS WAS CONFIRMED AS THE NEW U.S. ATTORNEY FOR MASSACHUSETTS BY THE FULL SENATE THIS AFTERNOON.

THE VOTE WAS SPLIT DOWN PARTY LINES, WITH EVERY MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS VOTING YES, EVERY REPUBLICAN VOTING NO.

AND VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS CASTING THE TIE-BREAKING VOTE.

>> THE SENATE BEING EQUALLY DIVIDED, THE VICE PRESIDENT VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND THE NOMINATION IS CONFIRMED.

>> Braude: IN HER NEW ROLE, ROLLINS WILL HAVE THE POWER TO PURSUE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS SHE BEGAN HERE IN BOSTON FROM A NEW ANGLE, WITH WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, PUBLIC CORRUPTION, AND CIVIL RIGHTS CASES ALL IN HER PURVIEW.

HER APPOINTMENT IS JUST ONE ELEMENT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO TACKLE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC NORMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

TOMORROW THE PRESIDENT WILL HOST LEADERS FROM COUNTRIES AROUND THE GLOBE IN THE FIRST OF A THREE-DAY "SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY."

ATTENDEES INCLUDE LEADERS FROM COUNTRIES WHERE FREEDOMS ARE MOST AT RISK, INCLUDING PAKISTAN, THE PHILIPPINES, BELARUS, AND TAIWAN.

PREDICTABLY, CHINA HAS CONDEMNED BIDEN FOR THAT LAST INVITATION.

AMONG THE SUMMIT'S MAJOR GOALS IS ADDRESSING THE FINANCIAL CORRUPTION BEHIND AUTHORITARIANISM, AN ISSUE RECENTLY PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT BY THE PANDORA PAPERS, THE FINDINGS OF A COALITION OF JOURNALISTS THAT DISCOVERED TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HIDDEN ASSETS FROM SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE, ALL OF WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT DOCUMENTARY FROM FRONTLINE.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE, ACCUSED OF SOME VERY BAD THINGS, WHO ARE USING THIS SYSTEM TO HIDE THEIR WEALTH.

>> Braude: IT'S SOMETHING MY NEXT GUEST, A LONGTIME CRUSADER AGAINST SUCH FINANCIAL SCHEMES, PLANS TO TACKLE IN A NEW BILL, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE AMERICAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO DO MORE TO KEEP BAD ACTORS FROM HIDING THEIR MONEY IN THE U.S. THAT WOULD BE SENATOR SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, A DEMOCRAT FROM RHODE ISLAND.

>> Braude: SENATOR, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Braude: YOU'RE A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY.

IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 50 YEARS SINCE THERE WAS A ROLL-CALL VOTE.

RACHAEL ROLLINS GOT 73% OF THE VOTE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FROM THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HER BEST.

NOT ONE VOTE FROM REPUBLICANS.

WHY?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THE NOMINATIONS PROCESS IN THE SENATE HAS BROKEN DOWN UNDER THE PRESSURE OF POLITICS, AND WE FIND INDIVIDUAL REPUBLICAN SENATORS EACH HAVING THEIR OWN CRUSADES AGAINST DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO SLOW DOWN AND BLOCK NOMINEES.

AND EACH ONE OF THEM IS A LIKELY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SO THERE IS QUITE A GOOD DEAL OF POSTURING INVOLVED HERE.

AND THE RESULT IS AMBASSADORS WHO WOULD ORDINARILY BE CLEARED BY AGREEMENT, U.S.

ATTORNEYS WHO WOULD ORDINARILY BE CLEARED IN BLOCK VOTES OR OTHER SIMPLE PROCEDURAL METHODS, ARE FORCED TO GO THROUGH EVERY POSSIBLE PROCEDURAL STEP.

AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS, YOU KNOW, THE VANITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DOING THE BLOCKADING, BUT ALSO IT REQUIRES DEMOCRATS TO SACRIFICE FLOOR TIME THAT WE COULD OTHERWISE SPEND ON LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO GET THESE PEOPLE THROUGH.

SO IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR DEMOCRATS TO LEGISLATE WHEN THEY DO THIS, AND I GUESS THAT IS AN IRRESISTIBLE TWO-FOR.

>> Braude: I GUESS SO.

YOU WROTE A PIECE ABOUT THE SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY, WHICH I HADN'T HEARD ABOUT UNTIL I READ YOUR PIECE, SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD COME FROM THAT, LIKE THE MURDEROUS LEADER DUTERTE, AND BOLSONARO FROM BRAZIL, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT THAT COULD COME OUTOUT OF THIS?

>> THE IMPORTANT THING THAT COULD COME OUT OF THIS IS FIRST THAT THIS IS A GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING -- IT IS A CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS BETWEEN RULE OF LAW AND AUTOCRACY AND CRIMINALITY.

AND ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE LOSE THAT STRUGGLE IS WHEN WE ALLOW OUR RULE OF LAW ASSETS TO PROTECT THE ILL-GOTTEN GAINS OF THE AUTOCRATS AND THE CRIMINALS.

SO THERE IS SOME REALLY SPECIFIC STUFF WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE IN THE WORLD'S FINANCIAL SYSTEM, YOU CAN'T HIDE BEHIND SHELL CORPORATIONS AND FAKE NAMES, AND WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHO YOU ARE SO THAT WHEN SOMEBODY IS IN THE BUSINESS OF LOOTING THEIR COUNTRY OR RUNNING A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE, THEY CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THEIR MONEY AND HIDE IT SAFELY IN THE PROTECTION OF OUR RULE OF LAW SYSTEM.

THAT WOULD BE A VERY, VERY BIG AND SIGNIFICANT STEP.

AND IF WE CAN TAKE THAT TOGETHER, THEN WE CAN SORT OUT WHO THE GREATEST EVIL-DOERS ARE SEPARATELY FROM THAT.

>> Braude: AND WE SHOULD SAY, ONE OF THE DEPOSITORIES, THEY'RE NOT JUST EXOTIC ISLANDS.

THEY ARE PLACES LIKE SOUTH DAKOTA, RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> YES.

>> Braude: YOU USED THE TERMS AUTOCRACY, CRIMINALITY, AUTHORITARIANISM -- WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE U.S. HAVE WHEN WE JUST HAD A LEADER WHO HAD ALL THREE OF THOSE CHARACTERISTICS, AND IF AN ELECTION WAS TODAY AND POLLS ARE CORRECT, I'M SERIOUS, WOULD BE THE LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY AGAIN.

WHAT MORAL AUTHORITY DO WE HAVE TO SPEAK ON THIS?

>> IT HURT US AND SET US BACK TO HAVE THAT PERSON BE OUR PRESIDENT.

BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE STRUCTURAL FACTS OP ON THE GROUND THAT THE UNITED STATES IS IN A CONTEST WITH ANTI-RULE OF LAW FORCES AROUND THE WORLD, AND THAT IN THAT CONTEST, THE GROUND RULES MATTER.

AND THE GROUND RULES RIGHT NOW SUPPORT, AIDE AND ABET THE BAD GUYS ON THE OTHER SIDE BY LETTING THEM HANG ON TO THEIR STOLEN WELL.

AND WE SUPPORT THAT, AND WE SHOULDN'T SUPPORT THAT.

WE SHOULD DRAW A REALLY BRIGHT LINE.

AND IF WE DO, I THINK IT WILL DAMAGE THE CAUSE OF CLEPTOCRATOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD.

EVEN IF WE HAD AN UNFORTUNATE PRESIDENT WHO WAS MORE ON THE SIDE OF THE AUTOCRATS AND THE CLEPTOCRATS.

>> Braude: HERE IS A LITTLE OF YOU DURING THE CONFIRMATION OF AMY CONEY BARRETT.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS AROUND ANY COURT I'VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH, WHERE THERE IS THIS MUCH DARK MONEY.

SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AROUND THE COURT.

AND DARK MONEY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH IT.

SPECIAL INTERESTS HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH IT.

>> Braude: MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM UNIDENTIFIED SOURCES GOING TO SUPPORT NOMINEES THAT LED TO THIS DRAMATIC IMBALANCE IN THE COURT, THAT MAY LEAD TO THE GUTTING OF "ROE VS. WADE" AND OTHER THINGS.

AS YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE FEDERAL COURTS ISSUED ITS REPORT.

NO RECOMMENDATIONS ON THINGS LIKE EXPANDING THE COURT, TERM LIMITS, RETIREMENT AGES, ETC.

YOU WERE ASKED IN APRIL ABOUT EXPANSION OF THE COURT, AND YOU SAID LET'S NOT PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

IS IT NOT TIME TO START MOVING THAT CART, AT LEAST ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES, SENATOR?

>> I'M DEVOTING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO TRYING TO SHOW EXACTLY HOW THIS COURT HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.

SO BACK TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTION ABOUT FOREIGN COUNTRIES, IF WE WERE GIVING ADVICE TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY, AND THE FOREIGN COUNTRY HAD GIVEN ITS JUDICIAL SELECTION PROCESS OVER TO A PRIVATE PART PARTISAN ORGANIZATION WHILE THAT PRIVATE PARTISAN ORGANIZATION WAS RECEIVING ENORMOUS ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM UNKNOWN INTERESTS AND WAS ALLOWING OTHER AN ANONYMOUS, HUGE DONATIONS, TO FUND POLITICAL ADVERTISING TO SUPPORT THOSE JUDICIAL NOMINEES, WE WOULD SIT DOWN WITH THAT COUNTRY AND SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS REALLY BAD PRACTICE.

YOU SHOULD NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.

THIS IS AN OPEN AVENUE FOR CORRUPTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS HAPPENING TO US IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.

AND MY FIRST JOB IS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND HOW VERY, VERY DISTANT IT IS FROM WHAT IS PROPER AND WHAT HISTORIC STANDARDS HAVE BEEN AROUND THE COURT.

ONCE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT, THEN I THINK WE'RE IN A STRONGER POSITION TO MAKE THE CASE.

BUT I FEEL A BIT LIKE THE LAWYER GOING TO TO ASK FOR EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF FROM A JUDGE.

I'M RELUCTANT TO ASK FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF UNTIL I'M CONFIDENT I HAVE MADE MY CASE.

>> Braude: DO ANY OF THOSE EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF MEASURES HAVE SOME APPEAL TO YOU?

LIMITING TERMS, AGE -- >> OH, YES.

>> Braude: WHICH ONES?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THAT BECAUSE MY JOB IN THIS STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW IS TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO DISCLOSE TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE.

THEY'RE ALREADY ACCUSING ME OF BEING A COURT PACKER, EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN'T SAID THAT, JUST AS PART OF TRYING TO DISCREDIT MY WORK.

SO MY WORK HERE I THINK COMES FIRST.

I HAVE SUPPORTED A LOT OF SIMPLE TRANSPARENCY MEASURES THAT I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COURT WOULD UNDERTAKE.

WHEN SOMEBODY SHOWS UP TO FILE A BRIEF IN THE COURT AND IT IS A PHONY FRONT GROUP, WE OUGHT TO KNOW WHO FUNDED THEM.

NOT COMPLICATED.

EXACTLY LIKE WE DID FOR AMERICAN SHELL CORPORATIONS.

WHO IS REALLY BEHIND YOU?

WHY DO WE SET A STANDARD FOR AMERICAN SHELL CORPORATIONS, THAT YOU CAN SHOW UP IN THE SUPREME COURT AND NOT HAVE TO MEET?

SO WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US.

THE EASY, QUICK STUFF IS THE TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICACY.

BEFORE WE GET WAY OUT AHEAD OF OURSELVES.

>> Braude: BY THE WAY, WE CALL IT COURT EXPANSION, NOT COURT PACKING.

>> THEY SAY COURT PACKING, AND THAT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY DID BY PACKING THE COURT WITH SIX TO THREE PEOPLE CHOSEN BY SPECIAL INTERESTS.

>> Braude: CAN WE LOOK TO ONE OTHER CRITICAL ISSUE YOU HAVE, IN THE ROLE YOU HAVE AS A SENATOR, PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THERE ARE NOT REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR SUCH A THING AS THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE DISENFRANCHISED CERTAIN VOTERS BACK HOME.

CHUCK SCHUMER SAID THAT JOE MANCHIN, WE'LL ALLOW YOU TO AMEND THIS BILL, AND YOU CAN THROW IN VOTER I.D.

INFORMATION, WHICH MAKES YOU HAPPY -- YOU MEAN JOE MANCHIN -- GO GET SOME REPUBLICANS.

HE GOT NONE.

THERE ARE 50 VOTES, AT BEST, IT SEEMS TO ME, FOR VOTING RIGHTS, BUT ONLY IF THERE IS A CARVE-OUT FOR THE FILIBUSTER.

ONE, CAN YOU IMAGINE HIM SUPPORTING IT?

AND, TWO, DO YOU SUPPORT A CARVE-OUT FOR THE FILIBUSTER TO GET THIS VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION PASSED?

>> WE ABSOLUTELY NEED A SOLUTION TO THIS BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU GIVE A MINORITY PARTY A VETO OVER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THE BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY IS MAJORITY RULE.

IT IS APPROPRIATE AND CONSISTENT WITH THE SENATE'S HISTORY AND TRADITIONS TO LET THE MINORITY SLOW THINGS DOWN, TO LET THEM DEMAND TO SEE THE CASE, TO HAVE PUBLIC DEBATE ON IT, TO NOT BE ROLLED OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

BUT THEY DON'T GET TO TURN THAT INTO RULING FROM THE MINORITY.

AND THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE DEMANDING RIGHT NOW, AND IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE.

THERE ARE WAYS SHORT OF ELIMINATING THE FILIBUSTER ENTIRELY TO CREATE A PATHWAY FOR A BILL LIKE THIS TO PASS.

AND IT COULD BE THINGS AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING THE SPEAKING RULES OF THE SENATE FLOOR, CHANGING WHO BEARS THE BURDEN OF BEING AT THE READY ON THE FLOOR TO HOLD OFF A QUORUM CALL.

THESE SORT OF TECHNICAL MATTERS, BUT IF YOU LINE THEM UP IN THE RIGHT WAY, YOU CAN RESTORE MAJORITY RULE IN THE SENATE, CONSISTENT WITH THE SENATE'S PRINCIPLES.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: JUST SO I'M CLEAR, YOU WOULD SUPPORT SUCH MEASURES THAT WOULD ALLOW THIS VOTING RIGHTS MEASURE TO PASS WITH 50 VOTES PLUS ONE?

>> IN A HEARTBEAT.

>> Braude: SENATOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR WORK.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Braude: IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE TYRONE CLARK OFFICIALLY BECAME A FREE MAN, RELEASED FROM PRISON AFTER SPENDING NEARLY A HALF A CENTURY BEHIND BARS FOR A RAPE HE'S ALWAYS MAINTAINED HE DID NOT COMMIT, AND WHICH, IN RECENT YEARS, HIS ACCUSER STARTED TO QUESTION, TOO.

CLARK WAS 18 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS CONVICTED IN 1974 OF RAPE, KIDNAPPING, AND UNARMED ROBBERY.

A JURY DETERMINED IT WAS HE WHO BROKE INTO ANNE KANE'S BACK BAY HOME, RAPED HER, BEAT HER, AND THEN TOOK HER AROUND THE CITY FOR HOURS UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE.

KANE, WHO IS WHITE, IDENTIFIED CLARK, WHO IS BLACK, TWO DAYS LATER THROUGH A PHOTO LINEUP.

BUT YEARS LATER, KANE SAID SHE HAD DOUBTS ABOUT HER IDENTIFICATION, WRITING TO THE STATE PAROLE BOARD IN 2019: "I AM NO LONGER ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT MY IDENTIFICATION WAS CORRECT."

BUT WHEN THE PAROLE BOARD DID NOTHING, KANE DECIDED TO GO PUBLIC, SPEAKING WITH GBH NEWS' JENNIFER McKIM ABOUT HER CONCERNS BACK IN JULY.

AFTER THAT CLARK'S LAWYERS ASKED A JUDGE TO GRANT HIM A NEW TRIAL, WHICH SHE EVENTUALLY DID.

ALTHOUGH SHE LEFT INTACT CLARK'S CONVICTIONS FOR KIDNAPPING AND ROBBERY AS THOSE WERE BASED ON TESTIMONY OF ADDITIONAL EYE WITNESSES.

AND THE JUDGE SAID SHE BELIEVED THE VICTIM'S ORIGINAL IDENTIFICATION MORE THAN HER RECENT DOUBTS.

STILL, SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY RACHAEL ROLLINS HAS SAID SHE WILL NOT PROSECUTE THE CASE ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE VACATED RAPE CONVICTION.

AS SHE EXPLAINED TO "GREATER BOSTON" IN SEPTEMBER: >> BACK IN THE '70s, EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY WAS THE GOLD STANDARD.

WE FOE NOW IN 2021, WE STILL USE EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY, BUT IT IS INHERENTLY QUESTIONED.

AND WHEN YOU ADD TO THAT CROSS-RACIAL IDENTIFICATIONS, IN PARTICULAR, IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE COME IN CONTACT OFTEN IN THEIR LIVES WITH A DIFFERENT RACE, THEY ARE EVEN MORE PROBLEMATIC.

>> Braude: I'M JOINED NOW BY TYRONE CLARK, WHO WAS OFFICIALLY FREED THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, ALONG WITH HIS ATTORNEY, JEFFREY HARRIS, WHO ALSO REPRESENTED WRONGLY CONVICTED FREDERICK CLAY IN 2017, AND JENNIFER McKIM, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER AT THE GBH NEWS CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

>> Braude: TYRONE CLARK, IT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

>> Braude: WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE FREE?

>> OH, MAN, IT IS SO OVERWHELMING.

SO MANY PEOPLE, MAN, I NEED TO THANK.

WHEN I LEFT THE PRISON, MY LAWYER TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS, LIKE, ANOTHER ATTORNEY WANTING TO TALK TO ME.

HE SHOWED ME THE PHONE, AND HE SHOWED ME ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD REACHING OUT TO TRY TO HELP ME IN MY SITUATION.

DONATING MONEY SO I WILL BE ALL RIGHT BECAUSE WHEN I WAS RELEASED FROM THE PRISON, I REALLY DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, GET NOTHING AS FAR AS COMPENSATION.

>> Braude: UNDERSTOOD.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE BACK IN A WORLD THAT FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS YOU HAD NEVER BEEN IN?

>> IT IS OKAY.

WHEN I CAME IN IN PRISON IN 1973, THE WORLD WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN IT IS TODAY.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE TECHNOLOGY AND ALL OF THIS STUFF, MAN, THAT I'M DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S LIKE IT'S CRAZY, YOU KNOW?

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO REALLY WORK A PHONE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TEXT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THING ABOUT PEOPLE TEXTING -- >> Braude: BUT YOU'RE FREE.

>> BUT I'M FREE.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I SPEAK TO AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THEY TRY TO HELP ME OUT WITH THE LITTLE THINGS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

THEY SHOWED ME HOW TO WORK THE PHONE.

THE PERSON WHO TOOK ME IN -- HIS NAME IS JEFFREY, AND HE IS A VERY, VERY GREAT GUY.

HE IS NOT JUST A FRIEND, HE IS LIKE A FAMILY MEMBER TO ME.

I FEEL LIKE I'VE KNOWN HIM FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Braude: I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, MY ATTORNEY WAS TRYING TO FIND ME A PLACE TO GO TO.

I HAD NO PLACE TO GO TO.

THIS PLACE I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO, THEY CLOSED THE DOOR ON ME JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

>> Braude: I WANT TO TALK TO YOU, IN A MINUTE IF I CAN, ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE IT HOLDS FOR YOU, AND WHERE IT HOLDS FOR YOU.

I WANT TO ASK YOUR LAWYER A QUESTION.

WHY DID YOU REACH OUT TO THE SURVIVOR IN THIS CASE TO BEGIN WITH?

WHY DID YOU THINK AFTER ALL THESE YEARS THAT WAS THE THING TO DO?

>> I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME.

I WAS ASSIGNED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE AGAIN.

I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A POSSIBLE INNOCENCE CASE.

AND I LOOKED UP THE NAME, AND THERE SHE WAS.

AND I SENT HER WHAT I HOPED WAS THE MOST RESPECTFUL POSSIBLE E-MAIL, AND SHE WAS, THANKFULLY, HAPPY TO TALK TO ME.

IT WAS A FRUITFUL CONVERSATION.

>> Braude: AND JEN McKIM, SHE SPOKE TO YOU.

SHE SAID: "IT IS A WELL-PROVEN FACT" -- THIS IS ANNE KANE.

"IT IS A WELL PROVEN FACT TO THIS POINT THAT EYE WITNESS IDENTIFICATION IS INCREDIBLY UNRELIABLE.

I HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENTIATEING BLACK FACES.

I CAN SEE HOW I MIGHT HAVE BEEN WRONG."

SHE SAYS "I MIGHT HAVE BEEN WRONG."

YOU SPOKE TO HER.

WAS SHE CONVINCED SHE WAS WRONG, AND TYRONE CLARK IS NOT THE MAN?

>> I DON'T THINK SHE IS CONVINCED.

BUT SHE IS CONVINCED SHE COULD HAVE BEEN WRONG.

SHE SAID WHEN SHE WAS THAT YOUNG, IN HER 20s, SHE HAD KNOWN VERY FEW AFRICAN-AMERICANS AT ALL, AND SHE REALLY STARTED TO BUILD DOUBT OVER YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

AND SO SHE WAS VERY GRATEFUL WHEN JEFF REACHED OUT TO HER, AND WHEN SHE SUGGESTED I MIGHT WANT TO SPEAK TO HER, SHE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED.

>> Braude: TYRONE, YOU SAID YOU WOULD LIKE THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH THE VICTIM.

WHY?

>> BECAUSE I WANTED TO THANK HER IN PERSON BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN SO LONG, 50 YEARS, BUT THE FACT IS THAT THE VICTIM HAD A LOT OF COURAGE, MAN, TO DO WHAT SHE DID.

SHE CAME -- >> Braude: YOU'RE NOT ANGRY AT HER?

THAT'S THE REASON YOU LOST 50 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE?

>> I'M NOT REALLY ANGRY AT HER BECAUSE IT REALLY WASN'T HER FAULT.

I HAVE A HEART TO FORGIVE.

I BELIEVE IN GOD.

AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD SAVED HER AS WELL AS HE SAVED ME, TO STILL BE HERE TODAY.

IF IT WASN'T FOR HER, ALL THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING.

>> Braude: WOULD YOU LIKE HER TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU, TYRONE?

>> IF THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO, AN APOLOGY, BUT WHAT THE VICTIM IS DOING, TO ME, SHE IS DOING MORE THAN AN APOLOGY NOW.

SHE IS PUTTING IT OUT PUBLICLY SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT I SHOULD BE MORE -- MORE OF WHAT I SHOULD HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: ARE YOU ANGRY AT ANYBODY?

ARE YOU ANGRY AT THE GOVERNMENT, THE PROSECUTORS, THE POLICE -- A WHO?

>> YES.

I'M ANGRY AT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT BACK THEN WHO PUT ME AWAY.

THE D.A., THE BOSTON POLICE, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S NOT JUST, LIKE, AS FAR AS CONCERNING THE VICTIM.

>> Braude: DID YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO DIE IN PRISON?

>> WOW, THAT'S WHAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT.

>> Braude: DID YOU?

>> YES, I DID.

>> Braude: HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH THAT EVERY DAY?

>> I TRIED TO STAY FOCUSED, MAN, WORKING OUT, GO TO CHURCH, TALK TO PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THAT I HANG AROUND WITH WHO ARE IN MY SITUATION AND STUFF.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GUYS IN PRISON, MAN, JUST LIKE ME, THAT IS WRONGLY CONVICTED, THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO BE SET FREE.

>> Braude: AND HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE ANGER YOU FEEL AT THE PEOPLE YOU DO FEEL?

HOW DO YOU CONTROL THAT?

HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH THAT?

>> I TRY TO STAY -- I STAY FOCUSED, MAN, LIKE, WITH COUNSELING AND DOING PROGRAMS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I TRY TO BRING MY ANGER OUT TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE MY ANGER IS NOT NOBODY ELSE'S BUT MY OWN.

>> Braude: I UNDERSTAND.

JEN, YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO ANNE KANE AFTER THIS CONVICTION WAS VAC VACATED.

DOES SHE HAVE INTEREST IN MEETING WITH TYRONE CLARK?

>> I DIDN'T ASK HER ABOUT THAT.

I DID ASK HER ABOUT HER FEELINGS THAT HE WAS RELEASED.

>> Braude: WHAT DID SHE SAY?

>> SHE WAS HAPPEN HE WAS RELEASED.

BUT SHE WAS NOT SO HAPPY THAT THE DISTRICT JUDGE DID NOT GET RID OF ALL OF HIS CONVICTIONS.

SHE WAS CONCERNED IF HE DIDN'T COMMIT THE RAPE, HE SHOULDN'T ALSO HAVE THESE OTHER CHARGES AND CONVICTIONS STILL MAINTAINED.

>> Braude: IS THERE ANY RECOURSE, JEFFREY, AND THOSE OTHER THINGS?

THE NOTION THAT A MAN COULD SPEND 50 YEARS OF HIS LIFE IN JAIL AND COME OUT AND NOT BEEN COMPENSATED, NOT BE GIVEN A CHANCE AT A FRESH START, BUT JUST RELEASED, IT IS ALMOST UNCONSCIONABLE.

ARE THERE AVENUES FOR TYRONE CLARK?

>> I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES HE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED IN SOME WAY.

THE STATUTE, UNFORTUNATELY -- I DON'T KNOW IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL ARGUE THIS, BUT THEY CAN ARGUE BECAUSE OTHER CONVICTIONS STAND, THAT HE SHOULDN'T BE COMPENSATED.

MAYBE THEY'LL ARGUE THAT, AND MAYBE THEY WON'T.

>> Braude: BUT THE LEGISLATURE, DESPITE THAT STATUTE, THEY COULD DECIDE, IF THEY CHOSE, IN MR. CLARK'S CASE, THAT HE DESERVED COMPENSATION, DESPITE THE STATE OF THE LAW.

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST ONLY PRIOR TO THE RESTITUTION STATUTE COMING ONLINE.

I THINK SINCE THE RESTITUTION STATUTE IS IN THE BOOKS, THAT MOST OF THE TIME IT GOES FORWARD THROUGH THAT.

>> Braude: IS THERE ANY OTHER APPEAL -- I'VE BEEN CALLING HER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND OBVIOUSLYLY OBVIOUSLY, SHE IS THE U.S. ATTORNEY.

IS THERE ANY QUESTION IN TERMS OF THESE OTHER CONVICTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY IF MR. CLARK WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD AND TRY TO GET THOSE OTHER CONVICTIONS VACATED, WE WILL DO THAT.

WE TRIED TO DO THAT IN 2020.

WE CHALLENGED ALL OF THOSE CONVICTIONS, AND IT WAS DENIED BY THE COURT AND OPPOSED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

MAYBE THAT IS CHANGING NOW.

>> Braude: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO SET A FOUNDATION, YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE, LIKE, IN MY SITUATION.

I WANT TO BUILD A FOUNDATION SO WHEN GUYS COME OUT OF PRISON THAT NEED SUPPORT, I CAN BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AND STUFF.

I'M CONCERNED IF THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO THEY WON'T BE, LIKE, IN MY SITUATION.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF PRISON, I DIDN'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO.

IF IT WASN'T FOR MY ATTORNEY.

I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO A LOT OF GUYS I KNOW THAT IS GETTING OUT AND BEING RELEASED.

AT LEAST HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND YOU LOOK AROUND AND YOU DON'T SEE THE SAME KIND OF RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR LIBERTY THAT YOU HAD TO LIVE WITH FOR VIRTUALLY ALL OF 50 YEARS, WHAT IS THAT MOMENT LIKE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY?

>> EVERY TIME I HEAR SIRENS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF, IT REMINDS ME THAT I'M STILL IN PRISON.

I DON'T LIKE THAT KIND OF FEELING.

IT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE AND STUFF, YOU KNOW?

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW I HAVE TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH TO TRY TO GET USED TO, YOU KNOW?

BECAUSE I'M BACK IN THE FREE WORLD AGAIN, YOU KNOW?

AND I GOT TO GET USED TO A LOT OF THINGS.

AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOR ME.

BUT I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE MY TIME WITH PEOPLE, MAN, THAT CARE ABOUT ME, YOU KNOW, AND MY LAWYERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT WHO WILL HELP ME AS I GRADUATE, YOU KNOW, BACK INTO SOCIETY.

>> Braude: AND I ONLY HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.

YOU'RE BASICALLY SAYING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS HELP MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGLY INCARCERATED, LIKE YOU?

>> YES.

YES.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT I NEED SOME HELP WITH BECAUSE I THINK THAT WILL BUILD A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR PEOPLE, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, FOR PEOPLE COMING OUT, THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO.

BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IS IN PRISON, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM THAT I KNOW -- BECAUSE THAT'S ALL I KNOW, WAS PRISON, AND THAT'S MY FAMILY IN THERE.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEM BEHIND.

AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SOMETHING OUT HERE SO WHEN THEY DO COME OUT, YOU KNOW, THEY WON'T BE IN THE SAME SITUATION.

>> Braude: I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN ALL THOSE THINGS.

YOU DESERVE IT AFTER ALL OF THIS TIME.

TYRONE CLARK, IT IS REALLY GOOD TO MEET YOU.

JEFFREY HARRIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, AND JEN McCAME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTING.

>> CAN I JUST GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF THE GUYS WHO ARE WATCHING ME?

I LOVE YOU GUYS.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GUYS IN PRISON.

I DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU ALL.

>> Braude: TYRONE, IT IS GOOD TO MEET YOU?

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS A BLESSING.

I JUST HOPE I CAN DO SOMETHING AS I MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD.

I APPRECIATE YOU, TOO, MAN.

>> Braude: FOR MUCH MORE ON THIS CASE, INCLUDING ALL OF JENNIFER'S EXTENSIVE REPORTING WITH ANNE KANE, VISIT US ONLINE AT GBHNews.org.

AND FOR MORE ON TYRONE, VISIT GoFundMe.com/Tyrone-Clark- released.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org