Woman's Quest to Free her Fiancé Imprisoned for Almost Half a Century

She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.

“Alexa,” she said, “play Christine and Ezra’s Playlist.”

The sweet melodies of Motown music filled Christine Roess's bedroom in her condo near Philadelphia, providing a soothing break from a challenging and tiring day. As Smokey Robinson's songs faded out, the soulful voice of Van Morrison took over, singing the familiar words of "Crazy Love."

"I can hear her heartbeat," the lyrics echoed in the room, creating a peaceful atmosphere for Christine to relax and unwind.

Ezra Bozeman, who had spent most of his 68 years in prison, was located about 230 miles away in Pittsburgh, across the mountains. Many friends and seven state lawmakers were working tirelessly to secure his release, concerned that his health was deteriorating and he could pass away soon.

When they first fell in love, Christine visited him and softly sang a few lines from "Crazy Love" into his ear. He later shared that a guard mentioned, "The way she looks at you gives me goosebumps."

The playlist continued with "Wild Thing" by The Troggs, a song that reached No. 1 on the charts when Ezra was just 10 years old.

On January 3, 1975, when he was only 19 years old, a tragic incident occurred at a dry-cleaning establishment in Pittsburgh. Co-owner Morris Weitz was shot and killed during a robbery attempt. Another young man named Thomas Durrett was initially charged with the murder. However, the charges against Durrett were dropped after he testified that Ezra was the one who committed the robbery and had indirectly admitted to the murder during a conversation later that day. Testimonies from two of Durrett's friends also supported this claim.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Ezra was accused of the crime without any physical evidence linking him to the robbery and murder. During the trial, none of the witnesses inside the dry-cleaning shop could identify the shooter. Durrett only implicated Ezra months after the incident, following his own murder charge. Surprisingly, Durrett was eventually released as the prosecutor cited insufficient evidence to convict him, noting that the main witness at the coroner's inquest did not directly implicate him. Unfortunately, Durrett passed away in 2018.

Ezra spent years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and receiving a life sentence. Throughout this time, he worked tirelessly to overturn his conviction by claiming that the legal process was not followed correctly and that his trial lawyer did not provide effective representation. Despite his efforts, a Pennsylvania court rejected his appeal in 2019, marking it as Ezra Bozeman's eighth attempt at seeking post-conviction relief.

During his time in prison, Ezra underwent a transformation. He not only learned to love himself but also developed a sense of compassion and empathy towards others.

Christine Roess told a reporter over the phone to play the next song on her playlist. She glanced out of her bedroom window and noticed the new leaves on the trees. Christine, who is 78 years old, used to run a leadership-development firm for Fortune 500 companies. She has one daughter and has never been married. Despite experiencing love in the past, Christine admitted that she has never felt a love as pure as the one she shares with Ezra.

The next song that Alexa played on their playlist was a cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold."

“Alexa, pause,” Christine said, choking back tears, as memories washed over her like waves.

To make this art piece for his fiancee after a catastrophic injury, Ezra Bozeman had to blow the paint through a straw-like object.

Ezra Bozeman has been in prison since 1975 -- virtually all of his adult life.

Courtesy Christine Roess

Ezra shared with Christine how his time in prison had changed him. He spent a significant amount of time in solitary confinement, but the men there found clever ways to combat loneliness. They used torn sheets to create pulley systems to pass books from one cell to another, and sometimes they even managed to have conversations with each other discreetly.

According to an essay that Ezra wrote and shared with CNN, one hot summer day, he overheard a conversation between an older inmate and a younger one. The older man was discussing his daughter, while the younger man expressed his desire to write her a love letter. However, the older man told him that he couldn't truly love her because he didn't love himself.

Ezra was deeply affected by words that were not meant for him. He realized that he needed to love himself first before he could love others. By giving love without expecting anything in return, he found satisfaction. This love, he believed, was the key to freedom - a love that surpasses barriers and limitations.

Years later, Ezra became a certified peer specialist after leaving solitary confinement. This new role allowed him to provide comfort to others in similar situations. He felt a special empathy for those who couldn't read, understanding how difficult it was to pass time without books. In times of crisis, he served as a voice of love and reason for those who needed support with taking their medication.

The car in this piece by Ezra Bozeman represents the time he helped Christine find a replacement for a vehicle that was damaged in a storm.

To make this art piece for his fiancee after a catastrophic injury, Ezra Bozeman had to blow the paint through a straw-like object.

One day, he crossed paths with a social worker named Dana Kelly. She was struck by the amount of love he exuded, so much so that he quickly became one of her closest friends. Sometimes, he would call her while she was in the company of others, engaging in conversations with everyone present, even a real-estate agent. His presence seemed to surpass the confines of the prison walls. As time went on, Kelly's friends also had the chance to speak with Ezra. In an interview, Kelly disclosed that one by one, her friends grew to "fall in love with him."

Christine Roess saw Ezra on a Zoom call in 2021 and they started talking. She believed he was innocent and began working to get him exonerated. As they continued to talk and visit each other, they fell deeply in love. They started making plans together and Christine even bought herself an engagement ring.

She is eagerly looking forward to the day when they can finally be together.

"Fields of Gold" is a nostalgic song that brings back memories of love and beauty. Christine reminisced about her early days with Ezra when she felt the strength in his leg as she touched it. Despite his physical struggles with neck pain and walking with a cane, she still heard a voice in her mind reminding her that these were the golden moments to cherish. They may not have been strolling through fields of barley together, but these were the times she would always hold dear.

"Alexa, next," she requested.

Ezra had a few songs he loved listening to: "When Somebody Loves You Back" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Forever Mine" by The O'Jays, and "Oh Happy Day" by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. Christine couldn't resist singing along to the catchy tunes.

Christine Roess, 78, has never been married. She met Ezra Bozeman in 2021 through a friend.

Courtesy Christine Roess

She then said, "Alexa, next," causing an acoustic guitar to play alongside bursts from a synthesizer. This was followed by a high male vocal singing about how a picture can paint a thousand words.

After a moment, she asked, "Do you know the song 'If' by Bread?" Her voice caught as she mentioned the song, which held special meaning for her.

If a man could be two places at one time

I’d be with you

Tomorrow and today

Beside you all the way

He was by her side in the visiting room on her birthday in January. When she held his hands, she could feel his familiar strength. However, his neck injury was deteriorating. He underwent spinal surgery in February, but later that month he fainted and fell, resulting in compounded injuries. As a result, Ezra was left paralyzed from the chest down.

When she visited him at Laurel Highlands state prison on April 15th, he was lying in a bed on wheels. His collarbones were visibly protruding, and his muscles were wasting away. Seeing him wrapped up in linens, Christine couldn't help but think he looked almost like a swaddled baby.

Ezra had a bad bedsore on his tailbone because he couldn’t move by himself. He mentioned having to ask the nurses for water, but he didn’t want to feel upset. Instead, he focused on being kind. He explained that the nurses were very busy and not appreciated.

A few days later, he shared with Christine about another man who needed some help. When a staff member suggested he work as a peer specialist for other sick or disabled inmates at Laurel Highlands, he responded positively. He joked about having a new skill set now as a quadriplegic.

The car in this piece by Ezra Bozeman represents the time he helped Christine find a replacement for a vehicle that was damaged in a storm.

Christine Roess, along with a group called Team Free Ezra, including friends, advocates, attorneys, and fellow inmates, are working together to help Ezra, who is at risk of sepsis, blood clots, or pneumonia. They are striving to get him out of prison before any of these life-threatening conditions occur.

They are currently trying to convince the Board of Pardons to shorten his sentence. At the same time, they are preparing a legal motion to ask a judge to grant him compassionate release. Additionally, they are seeking a reprieve from Gov. Josh Shapiro. Christine recently reached out to the governor, appealing for assistance. On March 14, a letter signed by seven Pennsylvania lawmakers was sent to the acting secretary of the Department of Corrections, requesting his release.

"Alexa, play the next song," Christine said, and the familiar tune of "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden filled the room. The powerful piano chords and bold lyrics resonated in the air.

I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy

I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love—

Christine sang, "Be everything that you need." She pictured herself with Ezra in the greenery of Wissahickon Valley Park, surrounded by friends in white or maybe pink. Yusef, Ezra's friend, was giving the bride away to the man they all loved. A man who, once alone in a cell, found something that even prison walls couldn't hold.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a moving portrait of love and resilience, as Christine Roess tirelessly advocates for the release of Ezra Bozeman, who has spent most of his life behind bars. Despite the tragic circumstances that led to Ezra's imprisonment, Christine's unwavering belief in his innocence and their shared connection has ignited a campaign to secure his freedom. The article highlights the transformative power of love, which has not only sustained Ezra through decades of incarceration but has also inspired a community to rally for his cause.

Ezra's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the hardships he has endured, he has emerged as a source of love and support for others. His journey from a young man wrongfully accused to a compassionate peer specialist within prison walls is a powerful reminder of the potential for redemption and growth even in the most challenging circumstances. The article calls attention to the need for criminal justice reform, urging us to reconsider the harsh realities of mass incarceration and the disproportionate impact it has on communities of color.