Damon A. Thibodeaux freed after 15 years on death row

Damon A. Thibodeaux, 38, who has spent 15 years on Louisiana's death row for a rape and murder he did not commit, has been freed.

Thibodeaux was wrongfully convicted of raping, beating and strangling his 14-year-old step-cousin Crystal Champagne in 1997, reported the Daily Mail. Experts have since determined that the then-23-year-old falsely confessed after a nine-hour interrogation and DNA tests have also proved his innocence.

"It's been a long journey," Thibodeaux said during a news conference Friday, noted the Daily Mail. "It's people like y'all who give people like us a chance."

According to CNN, Thibodeaux described walking out of the Louisiana State Penitentiary as "surreal."

"It's not something you can prepare yourself for, because you've been living in those conditions for so long," he said.

When asked how he felt, Thibodeaux didn't hesitate. "Free," he said. "I feel free. I feel free."

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Although CNN also reported that while in jail, Thibodeaux initially said he felt like giving up.

"The minute you give up completely is the minute you die. Period," he said. He is now looking forward to "peace and quiet … just concentrating on putting my life back together and moving forward."

Champagne was last seen alive July 19, 1996, when she left her family's apartment in Westwego and headed to a nearby supermarket, reported the Associated Press. Her body was later found along the Mississippi River levee in Bridge City. Thibodeaux had helped in the search.