Ohio man imprisoned for 2 decades is acquitted

CLEVELAND (AP) — A man imprisoned for murder for nearly two decades while denying involvement and being granted a new trial was acquitted Tuesday as prosecutors in Cleveland dropped the charges against him but stopped short of conceding his innocence.

Anthony Lemons, 40, had sought to clear his name and said a burden was lifted from him as a Cuyahoga County judge acquitted him, The Plain Dealer reported. He said he will pursue state compensation for wrongful imprisonment and would use any such payment to start a program to help released inmates transition back to life outside prison.

Lemons was imprisoned for a 1994 shooting that authorities said was a dispute over drug money. He was released on parole in December 2012.