In 1998, Claiborne and Richardson were falsely accused of killing a police officer in Waverly, Virginia. In fear of the death penalty and at the urgency of inadequate Attorney's, they accepted unprecedented plea deals with Claiborne being released with time served and Richardson receiving a 5 year sentence.

In 2000, after mounting public pressure, the FBI arrested and tried both men for the same murder. A Federal jury Found both men not guilty of murder, but the Judge still sentenced them to life