‘Now I have a chance at a new life’
Shortly after leaving Suffolk Superior Court a free man after his 1981 murder conviction was vacated, Frederick Clay spoke with the Herald’s Chris Villani on a North End roof deck and discussed his plans for the future after nearly 40 years behind bars.
“This view is nice. After seeing a prison yard for so many years, to come out and see boats and open water and smelling the barbecue charcoal in the air, it’s a whole different feeling than smelling cow poop coming from Concord farm, it’s a whole different experience. ...
Some of what’s next I am still unsure about, but once I leave here, I go to a transitional program in Lowell. It’s about getting me reintegrated into society ... I want to learn how to drive and learn how to learn some of these computer technologies ... Instagram, texting, emailing, stuff like that.
I’ve been interested in becoming a barber, I also have an interest in learning about welding, or maybe mentoring people who are incarcerated or at-risk kids who are not in the system yet but could be on their way to being in the system. ... At this point in time, I am open to anything and everything ...
I have thought about going to a Celtics game. I’ve been to the Boston Garden, but what is it? The TD Garden now? I went to the old Boston Garden for a circus on my birthday — but I’d like to go to witness a basketball game. ... I’d like to see the Patriots play in Foxboro. Bay State prison in Norfolk is close and I used to hear the crowds cheering and watched the blimps up in the sky. I was close to the stadium, but I didn’t experience it. ... I’ve seen hang-gliding on TV, I’d like to try that. I’m not really an adventurous guy, but I’d like to try bungee jumping ... just to experience something different. ...
I’m not angry, I’m just upset. I lost 38 years out of my life for something I didn’t do. I was hoping they’d put more effort to finding out the truth as they put to putting me in prison. ... I feel like now I have a chance at a new life.”