From Firefighter to Felon to Free: The Unbreakable Journey of Marvin Anderson

Early Aspirations and a Life Derailed

Marvin Anderson's life began with promise in Hanover County, Virginia. Born in 1964, he was a dedicated teenager with aspirations of becoming a firefighter—a dream he nurtured since the age of 10. By 18, he was on the cusp of realizing this ambition, actively volunteering at the local fire department and preparing to enter the firefighting academy. However, his trajectory took a devastating turn in July 1982 when he was wrongfully accused of a brutal crime.

The Crime and a Flawed Investigation

On July 17, 1982, a 24-year-old white woman was assaulted and raped by an African American man in Hanover County. The assailant mentioned having a white girlfriend during the attack. This detail led police to focus on Marvin Anderson, the only Black man they knew who lived with a white woman. Despite having no criminal record, Anderson was subjected to a photo lineup where his color employment ID was presented alongside black-and-white mugshots of other individuals. The victim identified Anderson, and he was subsequently placed in a live lineup—the only person appearing in both. Again, the victim identified him. ...Read More

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