>> yes. >> do you know ronald ross? >> no. was he knew the shooting? eard one of ross' attorney's interviewing steven embrey senior. that's the man whose son says his father, embry senior, was the shooter in that 2006 murder. embry senior is in custody for a crime spree in 2011. as for ross, the 51-year old enjoyed this weekend - his first as a free man in more than 6 years. ross says he ate shrimp, enjoyed the fresh air, and had to pinch himself.to make sure his new found freedom is in fact, reality. tonight, the search continues for a young oakland couple. who disappeared about a month ago. kron4's maureen kelly talked to garrett's mom about her search efforts. the family of garrett hand has turned this concord living room into a war room.with maps.and notes on the latest developments.as they try and track the missing pair's movements. it was thru facebook that they realized the couple had gone off the grid.after they stopped posting photos about their trip as they biked across south america. and garrett's online bank account record.shows he stopped t

. >>> new tonight at 6:00 p.m., ronald ross kept the faith and kept fighting as he spent 7 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. ktvu's paul chambers spoke to ross who spent his first weekend as a free man. paul? >> reporter: i was there on friday when he was released from jail. he said his first weekend of freedom was great, surrounded by friends and family. his attorneys say if it wasn't for nancy o'malley asking for the conviction to be over turned he could still be in jail. >> reporter: he says spending 7 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit was a blessing in disguise. >> early 30s, god going to make it a way that i will be 50. >> reporter: 2006, he was sentenced to 25 years to life for shooting a man. but he said he didn't do it. >> i am innocent. i don't know what is going on. >> we met with him in may 2008, it was obvious to us that he was innocent. >> reporter: it would take attorneys and the innocence project to get the conviction over turned. new evidence a false testimony and help from the district attorney was enough to convince a judge. >> she was convin

but nearly seven years after being convicted for a crime he did not commit. 51-year-old ronald ross walked out of jail a free man. ross walked out of the yale just a short time ago to a group of r of reporters waiting outside. he was wrongfully convicted for a shooting after bees misidentified by the victim who later recanted, it took lawyers from the innocence prongts four years to win his freedom. but a judge ordered him released this morning and ross just walked out of jail a short time ago. >> reporter: how does freedom feel? >> it feels great, man, it feels great. it's a blessing. it's a blessing. i was blessed by god, you know, god went through what i went through, like i say, things happen for a reason. >> i feel great, i feel wonderful. i feel awesome, i feel awesome. i really do, they finally found the truth. my son, been locked up for something he did not do. >> ross's mother said he requested a dinner of oysters and shrimp and she intended to fix that for him. we caught up with her today at her apartment in oakland and she has been waiting for seven years for her son to return h

someone had put something on my shoulder. >> she couldn't shake the conviction of her son, ronald rossix years in prison for a crime he did not commit. >> because i know what my son co-was like. >> ross arrested after a man who was shot in this block picked him out of a six-man photo line up. and more bad news still to come. two other witnesses also fingered ross for the shooting but ross's mother says from the beginning it was a lie. >> i know he was on my couch, drinking beer. ⌞ñ her cries of ross's innocence was not enough to sway investigators n 2006 ross convicted of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. >> we're looking to exonerate people wrongfully convicted. >> rhonda is with the northern california innocence project with a team of law students from santa clara university and a san francisco law firm able to uncover evidence proving the innocence and helping overturn the conviction. >> they've conceded and agreed he should be freed. >> both parties will argue that fact to a judge on friday. city council member says in this case, poor police work has been done. >> we can

it felt good. >> reporter: thelma's son ronald ross was vindicated after being wrongly convicted of a 2006 shooting in oakland. he spent nearly 7 years behind bars. thanks to a team of volunteer lawyers, the northern california "innocence project," today ross will walk out of jail a free man. >> i'm really, really happy and relieved. it's been almost five years, 4.5 years, of work. >> reporter: hard work that paid off. the team argued he was a victim of poor police work and lies from witnesses. the alameda county prosecutors agreed. >> we had a tape-recorded more or less confession from the person who did the shooting. we had other witnesses that we had located and our great investigator had located which cast serious doubt on the prosecution's theory at trial and they took a hard look at it and concluded this wasn't a conviction they could stand behind. >> reporter: peter says they plan to pick up ross at the santa rita jail in pleasanton where they will take him home to his mother's where he will have dinner with her for the first time in years. in oakland, cate caugiran, kpix 5. >>

angry and things happen for a reason, but he paid quite a price. >> well wishers showed up to see ronald rosshis mother's home in west oakland. only two hours earlier ross walked out of the santa rita jail, a free man for the first time in nearly seven years, seven years he never should have lost. >> i can see sunshine again and walk on clean -- good clean air. >> now 51 years old he was wrongly convicted of attempted murder in a shooting that took place steps from where his mother now lives. the victim picked ross out of a photo lineup and then recan'ted as other evidence came to light. today the judge set ross free. >> >> one time i was thinking the judge was being hateful toward me. but i guess now i see he was doing the job the same way as the d.a. >> the northern california inthat you sense project and attorneys with the san francisco law firm spent four years clearing his name. >> he spent seven years in prison for something he didn't do. the add veer care y'all system let him down, but it was due to cooperation with the district attorney's office we were able to get this great result.

tonight nearly seven years later ronald ross is finally a free man. >> good evening.ald ross steps out of the jail this afternoon and graciously spoke with reporters. he was humble and happy about his release. something that likely would not have come about without the support of the innocence project egg. laura has the story. >> ronald ross squinted in the sun light as he walked out the front door of the santa rita jail. his first taste of freedom in nearly seven years. >> lovely day. lovely day. >>reporter: ross was ordered row leasesed during emotional hearing in oak land. minutes after the judge set aside her son's conviction she described her joy. >> god is good. all the time i'm so proud. >>reporter: man with no violent history ross was convict entered 2006 of attempted murder after man was shot on thisxd block of can street in west oakland. victim picked ross out of a photo line up but later evidence came to light that someone else did the shooting. alameda county da office degreeed and withdrew the support of the 2006 juror verdict. >> obviously felt this was

the case which was a declaration from one of the witnesses saying that he lied at trial and that ronald ross was not the shooter. and from there everything started falling into place. >> that's a day for me. lord knows. >> reporter: ross' mother says her prayers have finally been answered. she could barely contain herself when a judge ordered his release this morning. >> i feel like when he said that, i feel like i could jump up and holler and scream and say i told you he was innocent. i told you he was innocent. >> reporter: ross' mother says he requested a meal of sh rrimp and oysters, a meal she intended to fix him tonight. now ross says he plans to take a vacation and reconnect with family. interestingly enough he said he is not angry and said he feels blessed for what he calls a dream team of attorneys, attorneys that without he believes he would still most certainly be behind prison walls. reporting live in dublin, i'm jodi hernandez, nbc bay area news. >> what a great homecoming tonight. unsettling new research on earthquakes. still ahead at 6:00, the connection to a population boom.

ronald ross squinted in the sunlight as they walked out of the front door of the jail.f freedom in nearly seven years. >> i lovely days. it's a good day. a blessed day. during an emotional hearing in oakland. minutes after the judge set aside her son's conviction, thelma described her joy. >> god is good all of the time i. so proud god brought him through. >> a man with no violent hist he was convicted of attempted murder after a man was not in west oakland. the victim kicked him out of a photo line up, evidence came to light someone else did the shooting. the d.a.agreed and withdrew it's support. >> there are more people like him in prison? >> certainly. but the cause of wrongful convictions span different crimes. >> ross was housed at san quentin and his attorney says he is not bitter. ross simply dropped his head, crying in court. >> i think today when the judge said the words... he was able to really let himself believe that this was happening today. >> and he already has a plan for the future. >> i want to deal with kids

of course, we'll hear more from the newly-freed ronald ross.c 7 news. >> laura, thank you very much. the woman behind the infamous finger in the chili case was back in court facing a charge of making up a story. but this time there, is more to it. people remember the tall tale that landed her in prison. >> that is right. after eight years people remember that story when eating here. san jose police say caught her again making a false police report this, time, to protect her son. now, both of them may end up rz0 >> 47-year-old

ronald ross is a free man for the first time in nearly seven years. ross took his first steps of freedom just after four this afternoon. after his conviction was dismissed. and. new tonight at 8. kron 4's dan kerman was there to capture his first reaction to being a free man. >> reporter: tonight, ronald ross' family tells kron4. they never had a doubt about his innocence. his mother always maintained her son could not have committed that crime. >> "i know my child didn't do this because i know where he was at, he was on my couch drinking beer and wine." >> reporter: ultimately, both the district attorney and the defense agreed ross did not commit the crime elliot peters led the defense team, in getting the conviction overturned. about 50 people gathered at lytton plaza in downtown palo alto tonight. for a candle light vigil against gun violence. the group is calling for more gun control in california and the nation. members of both the palo alto and menlo park city councils were on hand to speak about upcoming legislation in each city regarding gun c

. >> reporter: i spoke with ronald ross tonight at his home where his mother was making his dinner. he has four children in louisiana and he says he just hopes he can take a vacation with his family and then just move on with life. >>> and tonight at 10:30, a common problem in cases of wrongful conviction. and the big challenge for those rejoining society. >> las vegas police say they are working around the clock to track down the gunman who opened fire on a massaroti in last vegas last week. killed was a passenger in the cab now identified as a 48-year- old tourist from maple valley, washington. as i first told you last night, the massaroti driver had roots in oakland and was an aspiring rapper. >>> more details now on the search for the suspect's vehicle. it's a range rover sport and appeared to be brand new. the vehicle had paper plates and dark tinted windows. police in four states are looking for it. they say they've received a lot of tips and are asking for more. >>> a national day of action was called today to end gun violence. in palo alto this evening dozens of people parti

. >> reporter: i spoke with ronald ross tonight at his home where his mother was making his dinner. he has four children in louisiana and he says he just hopes he can take a vacation with his family and then just move on with life. >>> and tonight at 10:30, a common problem in cases of wrongful conviction. and the big challenge for those rejoining society. >> las vegas police say they are working around the clock to track down the gunman who opened fire on a massaroti in last vegas last week. killed was a passenger in the cab now identified as a 48-year- old tourist from maple valley, washington. as i first told you last night, the massaroti driver had roots in oakland and was an aspiring rapper. >>> more details now on the search for the suspect's vehicle. it's a range rover sport and appeared to be brand new. the vehicle had paper plates and dark tinted windows. police in four states are looking for it. they say they've received a lot of tips and are asking for more. >>> a national day of action was called today to end gun violence. in palo alto this evening dozens of people parti

ronald was in fact innocent. the actual shooter is now in santa rita jail. rossey says they never gave up hope. >> we have been working hard to convince them for the past year that ronald really was innocent. >> reporter: when ross was released, he cried for 10 minutes. >> the anger? are you angry? >> as far as i did, but now since god talked to me i really feel fine. >> reporter: he might make it home in time for supper and he walks out of jail today a free man. >> i can breathe and kissing the sunshine. >> reporter: patrick sedillo, kpix 5. >>> $70,000 a year plus they will drive you to work. the bay area company with hundreds of job openings and you don't even need a degree. >> did you see this bright golden orange thing floating up? what is that? >> like sea creatures on steroids maybe in lake tahoe. what's behind a boom in giant goldfish. ico... ohhh...sorry! director's voice: here we go. from the top. and action for over 75 years people have saved money with gecko so.... director's voice: cut it! ...what...what did i say? gecko? i said gecko? aw... for over

ronald ross is a free man for the first time in nearly seven years. ross took his first steps of freedom late this afternoon. after his conviction was dismissed. kron 4's dan kerman was there to capture his first reaction to being a free man. >> i just hope they do a better job on investigating, and look real carefully ....who may be wrongfully accused and help the children ... >> reporter: ross wants to reunite his family and take a vacation... >> about 50 people gathered in downtown palo alto tonight. for a candle light vigil against gun violence. the group is calling for more gun control in california and the nation. members of both the palo alto and menlo park city councils were on hand to speak about upcoming legislation in each city regarding gun control. those in attendance said. more needs to be done to reduce access to dangerous weapons >> lawrence byrd, gun control advocate: we need tighter gun control laws in america. >> the event was part of a national day of action. designed to put more pressure on lawmakers to end gun violence. >> jacque

then ronald ross disappeared ready to start fresh. just an hour earlier, ronald walked out of jail. the 2006 attempted murder conviction overturned at last. the anger he once harbored nowhere in his life. >> since god talked to me, i saw everything. he blessed me to be free. >> reporter: and randall harvey had tears in his eyes after ronald was with him during the shooting. >> i had investigators come to my house and call me a liar. >> reporter: it took a four-year investigation by a law firm and the innocence project to free ronald who faced 25 years to life behind bars. >> he was released. it's truly a rewarding, wonderful thing to do. >> reporter: there are allegations that the oakland police sergeant in charge of the investigation not only did shoddy work, but showed pictures and told to pick ross's photo out of the line up. we will have an update next week. >> a happy day for me. >> reporter: for mom and son, no dwelling on the years lost. >> we will be all right. >> reporter: the 51-year-old is originally from louisiana. that is where he is headed next where his four adult chi

ronald ross was convicted in 2006 of shooting a man in west oakland and has been serving a 25 years tombers include fcu law students, investigated and found discrepancies in that case. >> i told them he was innocent all along. >> how did you know. >> because he was at my house when that happened. >> friday alameda county prosecutors con seeded the -- conceded the conviction should not stand and finally free ronald ross. >>> cosmic clues, scientists find the first pieces of space rock from a giant meteor that hit russia. >>> and how a california woman is getting a little closer to the soldier father she never met 3q lysol believes no toilet is complete, until it's completely clean. lysol toilet bowl cleaner gives you maximum coverage from the rim down to the water line to kill 99.9% of germs. and removes stains better than clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach. so if you want to do the whole job, lysol's got you covered. lysol. mission for health. and for an incredibly clean and fresh bowl with every flush, try the no mess automatic toilet bowl cleaner. ♪ ♪ ♪ if loving you is wrong ♪ ♪

. >>> ronald ross was sent to san quentin on testimony this a witness lied.il he is a free man. here is more from the santa rita jail. >> reporter: well-wishers to see ronald ross at his mother's home in west oakland.

a judge has just ordered the release of 51-year-old ronald ross after spending seven years in prison. his conviction was overturned last week with help from the innocence project. ross was convicted in 2006 of attempted murder. the victim of a west oakland shooting picked him from a photo lineup. he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. >> student demonstrators got the meeting they wanted over the budget crisis facing the troubled school after an all-night protest. the chancellor will meet with them. cornell bernard joins us with the developing news. >> the student demonstrators have just vacated the administration hall after getting what they want, a meeting next week with the chancellor about the crisis here at city college. >> a small group of student protesters camped outside demanding to speak with city college chancellor. police were standing by. we took no action. >> everything has been civil. the police have respected us. >> the protesters complained there has been a lack of communication between the students and the administration. >> a campus rally on thursday echoed

. >> reporter: right, tori, ronald ross spend close to 7 years at the prison for a crime that both sides say he was never a part of. we spoke with his mother this afternoon and she says she could not be any more happier. >> i am overwhelmed. i am just praising the lord or jesus christ or lord and savior that he touched the hearts and souls of people to understand and read and see that ronald was innocent. >> reporter: now cameras were not allowed in the courtroom during the hearing today so these are photos of ronald before he was wrongly convicted. these are provided to us by a group called the innocence project at santa clara university. who about 4 years ago looked at his case and says he was innocent. ross was convicted in 2006 for a shooting in oakland but the victim back then picked ross out of a photo line up but now says he never believed ross was the shooter and he was pressured by police and feared the real gunman would come after him. several years later he will be set free this afternoon and in court this afternoon ross was crying when the judge says congratulations mr. ross

ronald ross took his first-ever outside prison walls friday.ars in prison but his conviction was recently dismissed. kron4 is and then carmen was there to capture his first reaction to being a free man. >> he credited his of turning and the dream team for keeping his spirits up when he was behind bars. >> while ross, at ms. that he was angry for some time he stated that he set it aside and found a piece. >> the lord showed me that there are second kansachances. >> as for the police to put him behind bars he had this message for them. >> i just hope that they do better investigations and next time before they arrest someone. they still look really carefully before their arrest someone for no reason. >> ross, stated that he met other people behind bars and stated that day admitted that they had been wrongfully convicted. >> just before leaving he stated that the sun was a welcome sight and that he is looking forward to his favorite male witches shrimp and oysters. he stated that he wants to reunite with his four sons and locate his father. >> san

now after seven years, ronald ross is a free man.with kpix 5's patrick sedillo and talked about prison and the moment he came face to face with his accuser. >> i was outside down by the store and two officers came up. >> reporter: that's the moment almost 7 years ago that changed ronald ross' life forever. >> put my hands behind my back. i'm like for what? >> reporter: there had been a the shiuing several days before and ronald found himself at the wrong place at the wrong time. there had been a shooting several days before. he was interrogated for hours. >> they said do you know anything about a shooting? no. i don't understand what you're talking about. >> reporter: the next day an officer came in and gave him bad news. >> i have been charged with attempted murder. >> reporter: he was tried and convicted of attempted murder, sentenced 32 years for life. mr. ross was the guest of the five correctional facilities including six months in san quentin but said he never lost head coach. he even rejected a plea bargain. >> go home. >> the

a judge has just ordered the release of 51-year-old ronald ross after spending seven years in prison.is conviction was overturned last week with help from the innocence project. ross was convicted in 2006 of attempted murder. the victim of a west oakland shooting picked him from a photo lineup. he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. >> student demonstrators got the meeting they wanted over the budget crisis facing the troubled school after an all-night protest. the chancellor will meet with them. cornell bernard joins us with the developing news. >> the student demonstrators have just vacated the administration hall after getting what they want, a meeting next week with the chancellor about the crisis here at city college. >> a small group of student protesters camped outside demanding to speak with city college chancellor. police were standing by. we took no action. >> everything has been civil. the police have respected us. >> the protesters complained there has been a lack of communication between the students and the administration. >> a campus rally on thursday echoed fe

ronald ross went to prison for a crime he didn't commit. >> real nice to be free again. a long journey for me. >> ross broke down in court as a judge ordered him release. his mom couldn't wait to give him a hug. >> i'm 77 years old and i have never felt like this in my life. god is so good. >> ross was sentenced to 22 years to life by a shooting. a team of students from santa clara university and volunteer lawyers worked for years to prove his innocence. >>> oscar pistorius is free on bail tonight. a judge concluded the double amputee dugged, the blade runner, is not a danger and possesses no flight risk. the decision follows tw days of hearings about how he shot and killed his girlfriend, model, reeva steenkamp inside his home on valentine's day. pistorius thought he was shooting an intruder. meanwhile, lance armstrong is facing a new legal opponent tonight. the justice department joined a lawsuit alleging armstrong defrauded the u.s. government when he lied about doping. demanding the $30 million in sponsorship money that was supplied by the u.s. post office be returne

an emotional reunion between 51-year-old ronald ross and his mother yesterday afternoon at her home in dublin. ross was released from jail after seven years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. it took a four-year investigation by a fran law firm, private investigator and the northern california innocence project to free ross who faced 25 to life for attempted murder. there are allegations that the oakland police department in charge not only did shoddy work, but told a witness to pick ross' picture out of lineup. but they are not dwelling on the loss, they are cherishing what's to come. >> god talked to me. i really saw angels. because he blessed me to be free again. >> he said it will be all right, mom. it is going to be all right. and it will be all right, because god let me live to see him get out. >> welch originally from louisiana, taking a much-needed vacation, four adult children live there. >>> and a new library opened today, even though completed and ready go-to-go three years ago. hundreds came out for the ribbon cutting ceremony this afternoon. 13 years ago, san jose

ronald ross has spent more than six years of a 25 year sentence in state prison convicted of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. the innocence project made up of law students at santa clara university took a second look at the case and found numerous problems with it. now ross is about to go free. his mother can't believe it. >> i feel good. like they somebody lift the world off my shoulders. i feel real greet. i'm great -- great. i'm great and i thank the lord for that that my son is getting out for something he didn't do. >> he's believed since the very beginning that we were going to be able to get him out. he really believed in us. >> the ordeal began in april 2006 when the victim was shot in the ribs after answering a knock on his front door. the man police now say did it. steven embry senior was later convicted of murder in an unrelated case. >>> santa clara's fifth largest employer is hiring. the great american theme park is trying to fill hundreds of positions for the upcoming season. open positions include medical technicians, security personnel, ride operators, lifeg

. >> well wishers showed up to see ronald ross at his mother's home in west oakland. only two hours earlier ross walked out of the santa rita jail, a free man for the first time in nearly seven years, seven years he never should have lost. >> i can see sunshine again and walk on clean -- good clean air. >> now 51 years old he was wrongly convicted of attempted murder in a shooting that took place steps from where his mother now lives. the victim picked ross out of a photo lineup and then recan'ted as other evidence came to light. today the judge set ross free. >> >> one time i was thinking the judge was being hateful toward me. but i guess now i see he was doing the job the same way as the d.a. >> the northern california inthat you sense project and attorneys with the san francisco law firm spent four years clearing his name. >> he spent seven years in prison for something he didn't do. the add veer care y'all system let him down, but it was due to cooperation with the district attorney's office we were able to get this great result. >> ross' 77-year-old mother cooper

the "chronicle" reports prosecutors have asked a judge to free 51-year-old ronald ross after he served 7 years in prison for attempted murder. ross' attorneys said their client was the victim of shoddy police work and a lying witness. the district attorney's office has conceded his conviction should not stand. ross is expected to be released next week. >>> lots of sunshine out there today. let's check in now with meteorologist mark tamayo to find out what to expect for sunday. >> lots of 60s and 70s once again across the bay area. but some big changes to talk about in our five-day forecast. a big temperature change and also rain making a comeback. as far as those readings from the afternoon, they range from the 60s to the low 70s. most areas a little cooler compared to yesterday very warm numbers. latest right now on the satellite you will see a big batch of high clouds that moved across the region today. right now, we have mostly clear skies and current temperatures are dropping off most areas currently in the 50s. downtown san francisco, 52. san jose 57. and livermore in the mid-50s

. >> just minutes ago ronald ross walked out of jail. he had been serving 25 years to life for a 2006 shooting he had nothing to do with. a team of volunteer lawyers worked for years to prove his innocence. >> god blessed me with the dream team angels that brought me this far. without them, without the "innocence project," i probably would still be stuck behind these walls for something i haven't done. >> first thing ross plans to do as a free man, have dinner with his mother. she got to hug him in court today for the first time in years. >> i'm 77 years old and i have never felt like this is my [ indiscernible ] god is so good, he awesome. >> the man investigators think was the actual shooter was already in jail for unrelated crimes. >>> new at 5:00 a fourth person has been charged with the murder of a south bay millionaire. katrina fitzwas arraigned today and prosecutors identify her as a prostitute to previously worked for ravi kumra. she and three others are accused of breaking into his monte sereno mansion last fall. a second prosti

ronald ross has spent more than six years of a 25-year sentence, convicted of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. the innocence project, made up of law student, took a second look at his case and found numerous problems with it. now ross is about to go free, and his mom can't believe it. >> i feel good, like somebody lifted the word off my shoulder. i feel real great. i'm great. and i thank the lord that my son is getting out for something he didn't do. >> and he's believed -- it was believed we were going to be able to get us out. he believed in us, called us the dream team. >> ross's ordeal began in april of 2006, when the victim was shot in the ribs after answering a knock on his front door. steven emery was later convicted in an unrelated case. he's been linked to several shootings in west oakland. >>> gas prices across the country are not expected to go down anytime soon. the average price for a gallon of regular nationwide is $3.67, an increase of 12 cents in the past week. in california, we're paying an average of $4.13. a month ago, it was almost 50 cents cheaper. but beli

it was an emotional reunion between 51-year-old ronald ross and his mother yesterday afternoon in herehind bars for a crime he did not commit. it took a four-year investigation by a san francisco law firm, a private investigator, and a northern california innocence project to free ross who faced a 25 years to life in prison for attempted murder. there are serious allegations that the oakland police sergeant in charge of the investigation at the time not only did shoddy work but showed the shooting victim six photos and told him to pick ross' picture out of the line-up. as for mom and son, they are not going to dwell on the years they lost. they are cherishing what's to come. >> god blessed me to be free again. >> he said we're going to be all right, mom, we're going to be all right and i'm quite sure we'll be all right because the lord let me live to see him get out. >> ross is originally from louisiana and says he will be taking a much needed vacation there to see his four adult children. >>> this morning a former actor and theater teacher is accused of child molestation. police in p

. >>> now a free man, wrongly convicted ronald ross is telling kpix 5 about how he came face to face with the man he was accused of shooting. ross says at one point he was in the same holding cell with the victim he supposedly shot. even prosecutors now admit ross was never involved. he walked out of jail a free man last week after serving nearly 7 years behind bars for attempted murder. >> like a newborn baby. >> when you woke up on saturday mo? >> i pinched myself to be sure it's real. it was real. i pinched my selves three times, it's real, i'm out. >> the private investigator and the "innocence project" proved ross' innocence. the man believed to be the actual shooter is serving time for unrelated crimes. >>> other bay area headlines, san francisco police arrested a man wanted for shooting an ak- 47 into a house in the western addition. officers say it started as an argument between the shooter and homeowner yesterday evening. that's when 42-year-old karim benton pulled out a fully automatic ak-47 and sprayed the house. the man inside was hurt but is going to be okay. >>> at leas

what the judge said in an alameda county court room as he was clearing the way for the dismisal of ronald ross' life sentenceover taken by emotion in the courtroom51- year-old wood's dropped his face into his hands sobbing tears of relief after serving 6-years and ten months for an attempted murder back in 2006 that his mother always maintained her son could not have committed >> "i know my child didn't do this because i know where he was at, he was on my couch drinking beer and wine" >> reporter: ultimately both the d.a. and the defense agreedross did not commit the crimeelliot peters led the defense team in getting the conviction overturned >> "we had really developed a lot of evidencewas a conviction they could stand behind" >> nancy o'malley called me up. and we reviewed it. stand behind this conviction anymore and i really respect. >> reporter: although wood spent the bulk of his time in san quintinhe was recently transferred here to santa rita jail awaiting the outcome of his conviction being overturnedtoday when he walks out those doors he will be a frre manin dublin haaziq madyun kron4

together they fought 5 years and 7-months to win ronald ross his freedom. for the first time. it became a key piece of evidence in getting ross's case overturned. >> a developing story tonight. new leads in a nearly decade old home invasion and murder. priscilla ng was killed in her hillsborough home back in two-thousand-and-four. investigators are now looking into an email they received about five years ago-- from a person who police say claimed to have information about the crime. at this point they say it >> gas prices finally leveled off over the weekend -- following a month-long string of daily increases. right now -- the national average for gas is $3-78 a gallon. that's down a fraction from friday, according to a-a-a. let's take a look at prices around the bay area. in san francisco -- it costs $4-25 for a gallon of gas. and: in oakland -- $4.17. in san jose the average cost for a gallon of gas is $4.18. gas prices are still up about 44 cents from a month ago. >> 90's rap star -- m-c hammer -- arrested in dublin. after expired tags. coming up. why m-c hammer is claiming

. >> doctors getting new guide lines >>> the san francisco legal office ronald ross walked out of jailg seven years in prison for a crime he did not commit. >> wayne freedman has more on abe on the outside. >> if nen visits state prison they'll ab mazed at those claiming innocence. he claimed innocence when arrested, sentenced. well, today after seven years, he talked about relief. freedom is something most of us take for granted. state of mind exercise as deciding where, when to go to lunge but the man inside of this law office was still not taking his freedom for granted today. >> this is a wonderful thing. >> he walked free after a judge set aside his conviction for attempted murder in this neighborhood a witness took five years, seven months to win ronald's freedom. >> i he'll like a newborn baby. one step at a time. >> his lawyers say he has no desire to get back at the system but everyone wanted to know would he sue is in the going rate for wrongful conviction senate of california is $100 a day./ísmÑ $100 take it or leave it but first you have to fight for it. >> it's unfair. >>

if chronicle reports prosecutors have asked a judge to free 51-year-old ronald ross after he served 123rneys say their client was the victim of bad police work, as well as a witness who lied. the district attorney's office has conceded the conviction should not stand. ross is expected to be released next week. >>> well, san francisco city leaders say they believe a steady paycheck will encourage teenagers to leave gangs. the examiner reports the city has a jobs program for at-risk teens. and over the past 18 months, about 10 young men left gangs and started working for the city as gardeners. officials hope to add private sector jobs. >>> according to a new survey, sonoma county teenagers smoke marijuana at a higher rate than the state average. the california healthy kids survey found that the west county has the highest rates within sonoma county. county leaders say they plan to give resources to parents and start anti-drug and alcohol programs in middle schools to start lowering those rates. >>> well, high school hockey player puts his puck in his own goal and then skates off the ice.

. >> well-wishers showed up to see ronald ross at his mother's home in west oakland.r he walked out of jail a free man for the first time in nearly seven years. seven years he should have never lost. >> i can see sunshine again

ronald ross started crying after a judge ordered his release.he decision came after the innocence project and law students at santa clara investigated his conviction for attempted murder. >> god bless me with the dream team. >> authorities say that ross became the main suspect in the case after his photograph was placed in a line up and he was wrongly identified. the innocence project said at least three witnesses lied to the jury during the trial. oakland police say they are reopening the investigation. >> an east bay preformer faces felony charges for allegedly abusing underaged girls. the 27-year-old is an actor and worked at the ballet school in walnut creek. he assaulted at least two underaged girls last fall and say there could be more victims. he appeared in court yesterday morning but did not enter a plea. >>> a second prostitute has been charged in connection with the murder of a businessman. a judge ordered her held without bail on murder and robbery charges. prosecutors say she and another provided information about the businessman's

likeomeby te had i couldn't shake it off.what she couldn't shake was the wrongful conviction of her son ronald rosshe served 6 years and 10 month in prison for crime he didn't xhichlt i know myon. l. reporter ross arrested by oakland police after man who was shot in this block of campbell streein west oakld cked h out of a photo lin up tre was more badews come 2 otritnseslso nger ross for t shoing. but ross mother thelma said from the beginning that it was a lie. >> i know where he was at. he was sitting on my kouchlt in my house. drinking beer. >>porter: her cry of innocence was not oughto sway invesgato. i2006 ross coicted ofttempt murder andssault wth a rearm. >> we look exonere people wrgly convicte. >>reporter: rhond with the northe california innocence oject with team of law students fro santa clara univsity and s francco law firm kier anvan ness theyere able to uncer evidce provi ross incence and convced cnty prosecutors to help over turn his conviction. >> they have conceded and agreed thatr. ross shoulbe free >>reporter: both paie will gue at fact ta judge in suriorourt on fday. city counc

. >> well-wishers showed up to see ronald ross at his mother's home in west oakland. only two hours earlier he walked out of jail a free man for the first time in nearly seven years. seven years he should have never lost. >> i can see sunshine again and walk on -- breathe clean air again. >> now 51 years old he was wrongly convicted of an attempted murder in a shooting that took place just steps from where his mother now lives. the victim picked ross out of a photo line-up and later recanted and new evidence also came to light. a judge set him free. >> one time i was thinking that the judge was just, you know, being hate full towards me. but i guess now that i see he's doing his job the same way as the d.a. >> the northern california "innocence project" and attorneys with a san francisco law firm spent four years clearing his name. >> he spent seven years in system for something he didn't do. the adversarial system let him down. but it was with the cooperation of the district attorney's office that we got the results. >> his 77-year-old mother couldn't contain herself

ronald ross was sent

then ronald ross disappeared ready to start fresh.an hour earlier ronald walked out of jail, his 2006 attempted murder conviction overturned at last. the anger he once harbored no longer in his life. >> since god talked to me, he blessed me to be free again. >> we knew. >> we knew. >> reporter: randy harvey had tears in his eyes as he described the frustration of trying to tell police ronald had been with him during the shooting. >> i had some investigators come to my house and basically call me a liar, but me and her knew. >> reporter: it took a four-year investigation by a san francisco law firm, a private investigator and the northern california innocence project to free ronald, who faced 25 years to life behind bars. >> he was released, so it's truly a rewarding, wonderful thing to be able to do. >> reporter: there are serious allegations that the oakland police sergeant in charge of the investigation not only did shoddy work but showed the shooting victim six photos and told him to pick ross' picture out of the line-up. they requ

ronald ross has been there after being convicted of attempted murder and assault.intained he was innocent. now prosecutors are asking a judge to throw out his conviction. the district attorney's office says there's no evidence he committed the crime and the victim says he never thought ross was the man who shot him. the judge could order ross freed at a hearing later this morning. >> schools in san francisco could gain almost $4,000 per student under a new proposal by the governor. the funding increases will be phased in over a five year period and it will not be distributed evenly across the state. school disstrict with a higher percentage of low income students and english language learn establish would get more money. san francisco has almost 15,000 english language learners and 20,000 low income students. it would also give more local control over how they spend their money. >> former secretary of state madeline albright is in the bay area today. she is being hosted by the common wealth club. first series sweep will be at the fairmont hotel in san francisco for

is talking about his newfound freedom thanks to a dedicated team of legal experts. 51-year-old ronald ross was released from jail on friday. we showed it to you here on this newscast. behind bars for seven years for a crime he didn't commit. it took a four-year investigation by a san francisco law firm, a private investigator, and the northern california innocence project to free him. he spent 25 years to life in prison for attempted murder. today he described what his first weekend was like as a free man. >> i felt like a newborn baby. i pinched myself three times. it's real. it's real. i'm finally out. >> he is originally from louisiana. he says he'll be taking a much-needed vacation to see his four adult children. >> so what exactly happened? mc hammer and the alameda county sheriff's department have different stories about what landed the music legend in jail. he was arrested on charges of obstructing and resisting an officer. it happened in dublin last thursday. the sheriff's office says hammer was in a car that was not registered to him and the registration had expired. hammer claime

. >> reporter: this is where ronald ross spent six years after spending the time doing jobs and reading time. he

ronald ross is a free man due in large part to lawsuits from the northern california in this project.d is our 15th wrongfully convicted person we have helped exonerate since 2001. >> we receive between 108,000 request per year. >> began considering ronald's case in july of 2007. this is when we receive every letter from his attorney say i absolutely believe this man is innocent. >> you did not get these kind of called letters often. >> the innocence project team up with a san francisco law firm and together they fought five years in seven months to when rommel his freedom the law firm was keker and a van nest. >> with just two days until he officially retires, the vatican released pope benedict the 16th will keep the title his holiness the will be title pontiffemeritus . been a big surprise the world and the announced earlier this month that he would retire effective on thursday. the catholic church's carter will meet at the vatican to elect a successor. the election is expected to start sometime in march. >> this is out of wichita kansas when they have a lot of snow on the ground and

ronald ross was sent to jail for a shooting in 2006. he has always maintained his innocence.e conviction last week. he gets out today. >>> protestors are staging a sit-in at the troubled city college of san francisco. they want students to have more input on how to save the college from losing its accreditation. a commission that oversees community colleges found major problems there. a deadline for an outline for changes in three weeks from today is due. >> how about the weather? the weekend is here. lawrence, what's cooking? >> we have a nice weekend, not bad friday, either. we have a lot of sunshine. a little hazy out there looking towards sutro tower. but as we head through the day we'll see plenty of sunshine. a little cool to begin with 30s and 40s. by the afternoon we are expecting highs in the upper 50s at the coast. maybe mid-60s in the valleys. and the next couple of days slightly cooler into saturday a little breezy too. but by sunday those winds turn offshore. we warm up, stay nice right through the middle of next week. we'll check out your "timesaver traffic" com

the attorneys for ronald ross have argued he was a victim of inept police work and lying witnesses whotheir stories. now alameda county prosecutors agree that his conviction should be overturned. they are asking the court to set him free. a judge may decide to do that. >>> schools in san francisco could get up to four thousand dollars per student under a new proposal by the governor. the funding increases would be phased in over a five year period and won't be given out evenly statewide. school district was a higher percent of low income students and english language learners would get more francisco has al english language learners and 28,000 low income students. this proposal will also give districts more local control over how they spend their money. >> pg&e said it'll not go along with a north bay city's ban on its smart meters. the city council approved the ban yesterday and it went into effect immediately. the city said that the smart meters pose potential health risks but pg&e said that it'll continue to install them since customers have the option of paying fees to keep their o

witness at trial and told the truth that ronald had not been this and he knew who the real shooter was. >> reporter: that helped turn the case around. >> ross's case will be the 15th exoneration. the project receives about 10,000 requests for review and has 100 active cases. >> how do they pick the cases they are going to take? >> don't know. they said they investigate hard before they take the case and only pick winners, they are pretty sure before they go in they can do it. >> all right, thank you very much. >>> well, developing story out of santa cruz, a young woman was beaten and raped on the uc santa cruz campus in the middle of the day. the campus police say the twob- year-old woman was attacked around 12:30 this afternoon -- the 21-year-old woman was attacked around 12:30 this afternoon in the upper walk way. she was able to call 911 after the attack and taken to the hospital. her injuries were to her head and torso but her condition is not released. she was able to give the police a good description. >>> friends and family gathered to remember a 10-year-old girl killed in a fire on treasure island. just after midnight yesterday flames

ronald was was sent to jail for a shooting in 2006. ross always maintained his innocence. now a judge has agreed and overturned the conviction last week. law school students worked on the case for "innocence project" for years to prove that ross was not guilty. >>> a newark man is accused of turning his garage into a machine gun factory. police and fbi agents say they seized 6 homemade assault weapons from harry lewis' home on birch street. they also found ammo and two silencers. neighbors were shocked to learn that lewis had been building his arsenal for six months. >> it was pretty scary. he never really bothered anybody. >> never been concerned or felt threatened? >> no, never, never, never, absolutely not. >> lewis faces up to 10 years in prison. when the feds asked him why, he told them he just wanted to see if he could actually build a gun at home. >>> two candlelight vigils are planned tonight in silicon valley as part of a gun violence day of action. one will be in san jose on stevens creek boulevard, the other at lytton plaza at emerson and university in palo alto