LaMonte Armstrong was exonerated in in June, 2012, after spending nearly 17 years in prison. A year later he was given a full pardon by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory based on actual innocence.

Today, Armstrong works as a drug and alcohol counselor, helping others to overcome challenges as he faces his own.

Armstrong was exonerated with the assistance of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic at Duke Law Innocence Project.

Audio: Paul Bieber

Photography: Jim Millay