Man Cleared of Crime Opens New Coffee House Brewing with Hope in North Philadelphia

It's in the joy of driving to work every morning. It is in greeting people who come together for coffee and conversation. It's in the feeling of freedom after more than 15 years in prison serving time for a crime he didn't commit.

For Eugene Gilyard, it's gratitude for a new experience with life and the opportunity to start his own business, Freedom Coffee House. In January, Gilyard opened the North Philadelphia business with his wife, Najwa Anderson. Located at 4906 Old York Road, Freedom Coffee House has quickly become a favorite in the North Philly community.

"It's something that I always wanted and hoped for — to be able to have my freedom, have my family, be able to go to my business," Gilyard said in an interview with CBS News Philadelphia. "Something that I enjoy doing ... interacting with people. Being incarcerated, that's something that we weren't afforded the opportunity to do."

According to CBS News Philadelphia, at age 18, Gilyard was sentenced to life in prison for the 1995 murder of Thomas Keal, an individual from North Philadelphia who was robbed and shot outside his business. Gilyard, who has always upheld his claim to innocence, was convicted when a sole eyewitness identified him from a police photo lineup. His attorneys said no physical evidence existed that linked him to the robbery and murder.

During his time in prison, Gilyard advocated for himself. Eventually, another man confessed to the murder, which made the original eyewitness ask for the case to be re-examined. With support from the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, Gilyard's conviction was ultimately overturned.

Now, Gilyard and his wife are infusing faith, hope, and resilience into every cup at Freedom Coffee House. For Gilyard, Freedom Coffee House is more than a business dream coming to fruition. "It's a reminder that no matter how dark the past, by the permission of God, the future is ours to reclaim," he said.