The long-running authorized battle of the “Winston-Salem 5” reached a turning level on Friday when a choose overturned their convictions and dismissed all costs in reference to the 2002 killing of Nathaniel Jones — the grandfather of NBA star Chris Paul.
WYMY Information 2 experiences that Jones was overwhelmed to dying within the carport of his Winston-Salem dwelling in November 2002. The assault occurred simply at some point after a then-17-year-old Paul introduced his dedication to play basketball at Wake Forest College.
The choice brings long-awaited reduction for brothers Nathaniel Cauthen and Rayshawn Banner, who’ve spent greater than 20 years behind bars serving life sentences for against the law they’ve at all times maintained they didn’t commit.
How the Case Started
WYMY Information 2 states that, throughout the authentic investigation, Winston-Salem police arrested 5 teenage boys in connection to Jones’ dying. All have been between 14 and 15 years previous on the time.
Nathaniel Cauthen – 15 years previous
Rayshawn Banner – 14 years previous
Dorrell Brayboy – 15 years previous
Christopher Bryant – 15 years previous
Jermal Tolliver – 15 years previous
In line with court docket information cited by WYMY Information 2, Cauthen and Banner have been convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to life in jail.
Brayboy, Bryant, and Tolliver have been convicted of second-degree homicide and common-law theft.
Over time, Brayboy, Bryant, and Tolliver have been launched from jail — however the injury was executed. Brayboy handed away in 2019, by no means seeing his identify totally cleared.
A Witness Recants and New Proof Emerges
In line with WYMY Information 2, the primary main break got here in 2020 when the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Fee held a listening to to assessment the boys’s innocence claims. It was there that Jessica Black, a key witness for the prosecution, recanted her testimony.
Black testified that she lied in court docket as a result of legislation enforcement pressured her, a revelation that forged critical doubt over the unique convictions.
Regardless of the recantation, WYMY Information 2 experiences that in 2022, Cauthen, Banner, Bryant, and Tolliver’s request for exoneration was denied after a separate listening to.
Motions for Reduction and the 2025 Breakthrough
WYMY Information 2 states that in 2023, attorneys filed motions for acceptable reduction on behalf of Cauthen and Banner. These filings cited a number of points, together with:
The recanted witness testimony
Unidentified DNA profiles from the crime scene
Proof pointing to false confessions
Ineffective help of counsel throughout the authentic trial
An evidentiary listening to started in January 2025, permitting the protection to current all supporting proof.
Prices Dismissed, Lives Modified
WYMY Information 2 experiences that on August 8, 2025, the court docket lastly sided with the protection — overturning all convictions and dismissing costs in opposition to the Winston-Salem 5.
Lawyer Christine Mumma, who represented two of the boys, confirmed the result, stating:
“Convictions have been overturned and costs have been dismissed for the ‘Winston-Salem 5.’”
For Cauthen and Banner, the choice means freedom for the primary time in additional than 20 years. For the households of all 5 males, it marks the tip of a painful chapter that started after they have been nonetheless youngsters.
It’s not every single day that the justice system admits it acquired it unsuitable. This case is a reminder of how wrongful convictions can steal whole lives. These males have been children after they have been locked away. Now, after years of combating, they’re stepping right into a world that’s modified past recognition.
The Winston-Salem 5’s story isn’t just about freedom — it’s in regards to the resilience required to maintain pushing when the system is stacked in opposition to you.
