After 19 years behind bars in North Carolina, former NFL wide receiver Rae Carruth was released from prison early Monday morning.
The 44-year-old ex-Carolina Panthers player —convicted in 2001 for conspiracy to commit murder, after plotting the murder of his pregnant girlfriend — was released from the Sampson Correctional Institution in Clinton, North Carolina, PEOPLE confirms.
The former first-round draft pick was serving an 18- to 24-year sentence.
In February,officials told PEOPLE Carruth would be released in October, but did not provide a specific date.
Carruth hired a hitman to fatally shoot his girlfriend,Cherica Adams, in late 1999.
NFL Photos/AP; Peter Read Miller /Sports Illustrated/Getty
Carruth has expressed a desireto become part of his 19-year-old son Chancellor Lee Adams’ life.
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“Ms. Adams, it would mean everything to me to be able to know and have a relationship with my son,” he wrote in the letter. “I owe him.”
“He will not have custody of Chancellor,” Adams told the station, adding, “I don’t think [Carruth] understands the magnitude of what I go through on a day to day basis at all.”
While acknowledging she was grateful for his apology, Adams said, “I still see … the narcissistic behavior. I still see the selfishness. He’s trying to make this all about him.”
The former NFL great did not address reporters as he exited the prison Monday morning, wearing a knit cap and an unzipped jacket.
A handful of well-wishers were on hand to show their support for Carruth, who was carried away in a white SUV.
Carruth will be on probation for the next nine months and has been barred from leaving the state.
source: people.com
