Kim Kardashian helps inmate find freedom 23 years after he was jailed for life at 19: 'I’ve been resurrected'
Kim Kardashian helped a D.C. man who spent more than two decades in prison take his first steps of freedom on Monday afternoon.
It was an emotional moment outside of the D.C. Central Detention Facility as 39-year-old Momolu Stewart was embraced by family and friends, Oxygen reports.
Stewart was a juvenile when he was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he committed. After spending decades in captivity, Stewart now says he just wants to spend time with his mother and other family members.
“Just appreciate the things that were taken away from me when I was such a young man,” Stewart told Oxygen. “You know, just smell the trees, just live life, and honor life.”
He said it means the world to him to get a second chance at life. “Cause I was buried alive,” Stewart said. “So now I’ve been resurrected. I’m back and I’m better.”
At a hearing on Friday, Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno suspended Stewart’s sentences.
The judge explained that the suspension meant Stewart's sentences would not be technically changed, but he would undergo five years of supervised probation.
During this time, if Stewart violates his probation, he could possibly have to continue to serve out the rest of his original term behind bars.
In addition, Judge Salerno also detailed some requirements the 39-year-old would have to fulfill, like keeping a job.
"It’s been a beautiful transformation,” stepfather Ronald Smith said. “I’ve seen him come from a troubled, emotional youth to a secure, mature man.”
Stewart was sentenced to life in prison for the 1997 shooting death of Mark Rosebure. Kareem McCraney, Stewart's co-defendant, was released in 2018. That said, both were released under the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act.
McCraney embraced Stewart as he was released from custody saying it was proof people could change if they wanted to. “I think people need to consider that one act or one misstep doesn’t define a person’s whole existence,” McCraney said. “You are more than your worst mistake.”
Meanwhile, Halim Flowers, a mutual friend who was released from prison earlier this year, said he was excited about contributing to society.
Stewart took college courses while in prison via the Georgetown Prison Scholars Program. Dr. Marc Howard, the director of the program, expressed how excited he was to welcome Stewart back into society. “Momolu has completely transformed,” Dr. Howard said. “He came into prison over 22 years ago, a traumatized child who was scary and had hurt other people. And now he’s transformed over the past 22 years into a thoughtful, remarkable, wonderful, positive person who has a lot to contribute.”
Kim Kardashian West was instrumental in securing Stewart's release after she met with him in July when she went to the District Of Columbia Correctional Treatment Facility to learn about the Georgetown Prison Scholars program. She then penned down a letter in his favor.
According to the letter, Stewart's mother killed his father when he was just six and his childhood was marked by violence. "Momolu turned to the streets for guidance," Kardashian West wrote.
“She has the ability to believe in others when the conventional aspect of things would be to shun ‘em,” Stewart said, adding he was honored by her support.