gregg oakes had grown up not far from where heidi ellen disappeared.he was tentatively giving the case a fresh look. >> when somebody comes forward with a claim that potentially exonerates a convicted man, we have to take it seriously. >> inside the walls of the clinton correctional facility in new york we met the convict who is the subject of all this reconsideration. it was 2015, gary -- was an old 61 with a candle -- and a bad long. >> did you object heidi allen? >> i did not. >> and then killer? >> no i never objected or killed anyone. >> he says those jailhouse snitches lied and their testimony was the only real evidence against him. >> did you tell those -- >> >> no. >> you're not doing drugs with i.d.? >> no. >> he had been inside for 20 years, he had always proclaimed his innocence, but -- >> do you say why me? >> i've gone through all of them feelings and emotions and thoughts over the years. but i've got to believe that you are what you are in life. that's what you're supposed to be, whether it has anything to do with the innocent and guilty.