Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter was born on May 6, 1937, in Clifton, New Jersey. He was a professional boxer and a middleweight contender who was wrongly convicted of a triple murder in 1966. His story inspired a popular song by Bob Dylan and a movie starring Denzel Washington.
Early Life and Boxing Career
Carter grew up in poverty and turned to boxing as a way out. He had a successful amateur career and turned professional in 1961. He quickly gained a reputation as a fierce and talented fighter, winning 27 out of his first 29 fights.
In 1963, Carter fought for the middleweight championship against Joey Giardello but lost in a controversial decision that many believed was rigged. Carter's career was derailed by legal troubles and a prison sentence for armed robbery, but he continued to box while in prison and became known as "The Hurricane" for his powerful punches.
The Triple Murder Case
In 1966, Carter and his friend John Artis were arrested and charged with the murder of three people at the Lafayette Bar and Grill in Paterson, New Jersey. The evidence against them was weak and circumstantial, but they were convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Carter maintained his innocence and filed numerous appeals over the years, but it wasn't until 1985 that a federal judge overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial. The prosecution declined to retry the case, and Carter was released from prison after spending nearly 20 years behind bars.
Activism and Legacy
After his release, Carter became an advocate for the wrongfully convicted and spoke out against racism in the criminal justice system. He founded the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted and wrote an autobiography called "The Sixteenth Round."
Carter's story inspired the song "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan, which became a hit in 1975. The song helped to raise awareness of Carter's case and contributed to his eventual release from prison. The story was also the basis for the movie "The Hurricane," which was released in 1999 and starred Denzel Washington as Carter.
Conclusion
Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter was a talented boxer who was wrongly convicted of a triple murder and spent nearly 20 years in prison before being released. His story inspired a popular song and a movie, and he became an advocate for the wrongfully convicted and a voice for justice. His legacy lives on as a symbol of perseverance in the face of injustice.