DELLWOOD — Lamar Johnson, a St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· man freed from prison last year after serving 28 years for a murder he did not commit, has landed a full-time job with Dellwood's public works department.Â
Johnson starts working for the city on Wednesday, Mayor Reggie Jones said. The public works department maintains streets and other infrastructure for the north St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· County municipality of about 4,900 people.
Johnson was hired after he completed the Urban League of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·' "Save Our Sons" job training program and impressed the city with "dedication, perseverance, and strong performance," Jones said.Â
"This is not just about giving someone a second chance, it’s about recognizing talent and perseverance," Jones said in a statement. "Lamar has shown incredible resilience, and we’re excited to have him join our team."
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Johnson could not immediately be reached Tuesday for comment.Â
A St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· judge last year vacated Johnson's conviction in 1995 in the killing of Marcus Boyd after determining there was clear and convincing evidence of Johnson's innocence.Â
The Urban League's "Save Our Sons," begun in 2015, is a four-week program helping economically disadvantaged Black men in the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· region find long-term employment.
CEO Michael McMillan said Johnson is one of more than 5,000 men who have found employment through the program.
"Employment is a key pillar of the Urban League’s mission," McMillan said in a statement Tuesday. "This is a road map to empowerment, and I am thrilled to see Lamar Johnson take the next steps toward a brighter future."