The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Jonathan Irons is an African American who was prosecuted on Burglary and shooting charges in 1998. In 1998 he was found guilty of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 50 years in prison. Maya Moore just announced her marriage to Jonathan Irons, who was wrongly imprisoned for over 20 years. Irons was 16 years old when prosecutors claimed he was involved in a robbery and shooting. She and her family helped overturn his conviction. Jonathan, who is from Missouri, was freed from prison after a county prosecutor declined to retry his case. Ex-WNBA star and social activist Maya Moore has married Jonathan Irons, the Missouri man she helped free from prison earlier this year. Jonathan Irons is an African-American man in his 40s who is well-known as the husband of popular WNBA star, Maya Moore. Moore's foundation, Win With Justice, has partnered with the "Get Out the Vote" campaign to raise civic awareness. Semifinals: Las Vegas Aces forward Angel McCoughtry, right, working against Connecticut Sun guard Briann January, tallied 29 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals in Game 4. Irons had been convicted for burglary and assaulting a homeowner with a gun -- a conviction that was overturned by a judge in March. © 2021 Condé Nast. I … Maya Moore has married Jonathan Irons, the man she helped free from prison earlier this year after a wrongful conviction. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. ", Ex-WNBA star Maya Moore, right, calls Jonathan Irons as supporters react in Jefferson City after Cole County Judge Dan Green overturned Irons' convictions in a 1997 burglary and assault case. "I feel like I can live life now," Irons said Wednesday. Jonathan Irons, a wrongfully convicted man whose case was overturned in March with the help of WNBA player Maya Moore, was released from jail Wednesday. Semifinals: Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (right) reaches for a rebound against Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5). Irons, 40, always maintained his innocence, and the two met prior to the two-time Olympian's freshman season at Connecticut through her family friends' prison ministry program in 2007. “So much so that I wanted to marry her, but at the same time protect her, because being in a relationship with a man in prison is extremely difficult and painful. The Sun lead the best-of-five series 2-1. In 2019, Maya Moore put her WNBA career on hold to help the case of a man she believed had been wrongfully imprisoned. Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca. Demi Lovato Just Hinted That She and Max Ehrich Might Elope, There’s an App That Lets You See the Voting History of Every One of Your Phone’s Contacts, “I Hope That We Are on the Cusp of an Awakening”, The Violence Against Women Act  Saves Lives—But It Desperately Needs Updating, https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1306214856283090945. Stewart led all scorers with 26 points. Semifinals: Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner, left, battles with Las Vegas Aces guard Sugar Rodgers (14) for a loose ball during Game 4 on Sept. 27. Semifinals: Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart, center, gets fouled by Minnesota Lynx forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, right, during Game 4. During their interview Wednesday morning on "GMA," Moore and Irons, sitting next to each other in … Semifinals: Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart, right, blocks a shot by Minnesota Lynx guard Rachel Banham (15) during Game 2 on Sept. 24. Ad Choices, WNBA Star Maya Moore Married the Man Whose Wrongful Conviction She Helped Overturn, “We're excited to just continue this new chapter of life together.". "And I didn't want her to feel trapped and I wanted her to feel open and have the ability any time if this is too much for you, go and find somebody. A Missouri judge overturned that conviction in March, citing issues with the first trial (a fingerprint report that could have proved Iron's innocence was not turned over to his lawyers, for example). Irons maintained his innocence while he was in prison, saying he was wrongly identified during the lineup. As Jonathan Irons took his first steps outside of prison more than two months ago, Maya Moore dropped to her knees in relief and happiness. In pursuit of this goal, he was willing to use whatever means he had at his disposal, no matter the cost. Moore said she got even closer to Irons during the “huge battle to get him home” and credited their shared faith for bringing the two together. Moore is now married to Irons. Lenox said he met Irons when he became a member of his legal team in 2014. He said he was falsely identified and was not at the scene. Jonathan Irons was released from a Missouri prison after serving 22 years for a crime he didn't commit. Semifinals: Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25), shooting against Las Vegas Aces, tallied 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals in Game 1 of their best-of-five series on Sept. 20. Finals: Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird reacts to a play during Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces. "Right now, I'm really just trying to breathe from this long, long battle and enjoy and rest and, you know, again, just being in the moment," she said. I didn’t want her to feel trapped.”. To wrap up the interview,  Roberts revealed her company, Rock'n Robin Productions, and ESPN Films are collaborating on a documentary about the couple's story. 24 must-see … Second round: Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones (42) pulls down a rebound against the Los Angeles Sparks during their single-elimination game on Sept. 17. Finals: Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) defends against Aces guard Kayla McBride (21) on the perimeter during Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. However, after the thorough investigation he was proved innocent. Irons, 40, always maintained his innocence, and the two met prior to the two-time Olympian's freshman season at Connecticut through her family friends' prison ministry program in 2007. Irons spent years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, and walked free this summer. First round: Connecticut Sun guard Jasmine Thomas, left, puts up a shot over Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot during their single-elimination playoff game on Sept. 15. took his first steps outside of prison more than two months ago, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Bird set a WNBA playoff record with 16 assists in the contest. © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 2020 WNBA playoffs: Top photos from inside the bubble. About Jonathan Irons . But their story together was only just beginning. "It's just a wonderful, wonderful story and Jonathan is so thankful for everybody what everyone has done to assist them." But the focus of her activism might. Moore and her family have long supported him and advocated for justice in his case. Semifinals: Seattle Storm guard Sami Whitcomb drives to the net against the Minnesota Lynx during Game 2 at IMG Academy. Bird had 16 points and nine assists in the win. Irons said that during a prison visit years ago, he and Moore acknowledged the strong feelings they had for each other. Former WNBA star Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons, the man Moore helped free from prison after he was wrongfully convicted, announced on "Good Morning America" that they married over the summer. When Irons was 16 years old, he was tried and convicted as an adult by an all-white jury for the burglary and shooting at the home of 38-year-old Stanley Stotler. ", WNBA star Maya Moore reveals she has married Jonathan Irons, the man she helped free from wrongful conviction. As for whether Moore plans on resuming her basketball career, she said she hopes to have her next steps in place come springtime. Jonathon Irons was a strict man of principle, believing that his way of fighting wars was the only way to achieve peace in this lifetime. Semifinals: Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives for the basket as Minnesota Lynx guard Bridget Carleton defends during Game 1. Second round: Phoenix Mercury guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (2) guards Minnesota Lynx guard Bridget Carleton (6) during their single-elimination game on Sept. 17. All rights reserved. Second round: Minnesota Lynx guard Rachel Banham (15) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Skylar Diggins-Smith during their single-elimination playoff game on Sept. 17. When his story was told, help poured in and gave him what he needed to get back on his feet. The Sun won 87-62. The Storm won 89-79 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. USA TODAY. He asked Moore to marry him that night and the two have since wed. "We wanted to announce today that we are super excited to continue the work that we are doing together, but doing it as a married couple," Moore said on "Good Morning America" on ABC with Robin Roberts. Moore was at the top of her game in the WNBA when she walked away to focus on social justice — specifically Irons' case. The Story Of Maya Moore & Jonathan Irons. Semifinals: Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) rebounds against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young. "I wanted to marry her but at the same time protect her because being in a relationship with a man in prison, it's extremely difficult and painful," he said. When he breathed freedom for the first time since he was a teenager in March, he said of Maya Moore, “ She saved my life. It took a moment for her strength to return. Semifinals: Connecticut Sun guard Natisha Hiedeman falls on forward Theresa Plaisance, bottom, while celebrating with center Brionna Jones, left, and forward DeWanna Bonner during Game 1 of their best-of-five series against the Las Vegas Aces. “We got married a couple months ago, and we’re excited to just continue this new chapter of life together.”. The WNBA star is also an advocate and she represented Irons. Semifinals: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) grabs a rebound in front Connecticut Sun forward Beatrice Mompremier (1) during Game 4 on Sept. 27. (Photo: Jeff Haldiman, AP). During a September 16 appearance on Good Morning America, Maya Moore shared that she and Irons got married during the pandemic. Irons maintained his innocence while he was in prison, saying he was wrongly identified during the lineup. First round: Mercury guard Shey Peddy, right, is congratulated by teammates Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, second from right, Diana Taurasi and Alanna Smith, left, after Peddy hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift Phoenix to a 85-84 win on Sept. 15, eliminating the Washington Mystics in the single-elimination game. Huge congratulations are in order for Maya Moore, a former WNBA star who just announced her marriage to Jonathan Irons. Wilson tallied 18 points, 13 rebounds and four assists to lift the Aces to a 84-75 win. When Irons was 16 years old, he was tried and convicted as an adult by an all-white jury for the burglary and shooting at the home of 38-year-old Stanley Stotler. https://www.nytimes.com/.../maya-moore-jonathan-irons-freed.html To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Stewart scored a career playoff-high 31 points – tying Seattle’s franchise playoff record. Congratulations to the happy couple! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about. Judging by the past year, that perspective is unlikely to change. “We acknowledged, both of us, that we had really strong feelings for each other,” he said. First round: Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, center, goes up for a shot between Washington Mystics forward Tianna Hawkins (21) and guard Ariel Atkins, during their single-elimination game on Sept. 15. Video … He had been convicted of burglary and assault charges as a 16-year-old by an all-white jury following an incident in 1998. Maya Moore’s role in Jonathan Irons’ case In 2007, just before heading to UConn to begin her remarkable college career, Moore met the man behind her 2019 season sabbatical, Jonathan Irons. And finally he was released from the prison on the first week of July 2020. The story of Minnesota Lynx star Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons, who had been in jail since he was 16 and served 23 years for a murder he did not commit, already had a happy ending. Jonathan Irons is an African-American man from Missouri who WNBA's star for The Minnesota Lynx Maya Moore believes was wrongfully convicted. Semifinals: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner during Game 2. Seattle guard Sue Bird and the Storm face off against the Las Vegas Aces tonight at the WNBA bubble in Florida. Maya Moore is now married to Jonathan Irons, the man she helped free from prison James Dator 9/16/2020 Report: California ‘wasting’ millions of dollars funding online charter schools A journey for justice turned into a love story when Maya Moore, one of the W.N.B.A.’s brightest stars, married the man she helped free from prison. The Sun won 94-81. He was serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assaulting a homeowner with a gun in an incident in Stanley Stotler's home that occurred in the year 1998 at the age of 18. Finals: Members of the Seattle Storm celebrate after winning the 2020 WNBA Finals with a 92-59 Game 3 win over the Las Vegas Aces at IMG Academy. The newlyweds are also making plans to assist wrongfully convicted individuals seek justice who "don't have the resources or the blessings that I have been blessed with," Irons said. Second round: Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) looks to make a move on Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas during their single-elimination game on Sept. 17. Jonathan Irons, 40, was convicted as a teen for a 1997 home invasion and shooting of a homeowner in O'Fallon, Missouri. WNBA star Maya Moore was one of the supporters who argued that he was wrongly convicted, and was present after he was released. For his release, Maya Moore played a focal role. Semifinals: The Seattle Storm's Alysha Clark celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning basket in an 88-86 win in Game 1 over the Minnesota Lynx. All were reasons why St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar said he elected not to retry Jonathan Irons, who was convicted in 1998 of an O’Fallon home invasion. “Now we’re sitting here today, starting a whole new chapter together,” she said. "Because in my mind, I didn't know if I'd be home," he said. ... helping free Jonathan Irons, a wrongfully convicted man who had spent over 20 … That happened Wednesday, and she says now she's ready to rest. Finals: Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart attempts a three-point shot during Game 3 of the 2020 WNBA Finals at IMG Academy. First round: Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner, right, blocks a shot by Chicago Sky forward Gabby Williams, left, during their single-elimination game on Sept. 15. Today’s biggest stories, from pop culture to politics—delivered straight to your inbox. On Wednesday, 40-year-old Jonathan Irons was released from the Jefferson City Correctional Center. Maya Moore married to Jonathan Irons, man she helped free from wrongful conviction Former WNBA star Maya Moore revealed Wednesday that she and Jonathan Irons … Story from News. https://t.co/XQgDH7hJAYpic.twitter.com/oattxmhhzO. Irons insisted he wasn't there and claimed his innocence. That didn't stop Irons from asking her anyway, yet he discouraged her from answering right away. On Monday, Moore helped Jonathan Irons, 39, have his initial conviction overturned, according to ESPN, after he served 22 years of a 50-year sentence, following a … “We wanted to announce today that were are super excited to continue the work that we’ve been doing together, but doing it as a married couple,” Moore said. Semfinals: Minnesota Lynx forward Damiris Dantas, right, chases after a loose ball against the Seattle Storm center Mercedes Russell, left, during Game 2 of their best-of-five series on Sept. 24. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Semifinals: The Aces celebrate after defeating the Sun in Game 5 to advance to the WNBA Finals. Tennis legend Billie Jean King uses her fame to champion women on and off the court, and fight for equal pay, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. 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