Innocent Brooklyn man released after nearly 25 years in prison enjoys Starbucks on first full day of freedom

Aaron Showalter/New York Daily News Fleming said Wednesday that he needs to adjust to his new life — including picking a cellphone and getting to sleep on a soft mattress.

Jonathan Fleming woke up Wednesday to the sweet smell of freedom — and his very first taste of Starbucks coffee.

The Brooklyn man who was released from prison a day earlier after serving nearly 25 years for a murder that was committed while he vacationed in Florida started the long process of building a new life outside a jail cell.

“I’m like on top of the world right now,” the 51-year-old father told the Daily News.

“Everything is looking good for me.”

Prosecutors moved to dismiss his conviction after they uncovered evidence that supported what Fleming had claimed all along – that he was in Orlando, on a Disney World family trip, when the 1989 slaying went down in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Seth Wenig/AP Fleming’s attorneys said they plan to sue the city and state. Joe Marino/New York Daily News Fleming embracing his mother Patricia Fleming. Bebeto Matthews/AP Fleming hugs his attorney Anthony Mayol while his other attorney Taylor Koss applaud in Brooklyn’s Supreme Court. Joe Marino/New York Daily News Fleming hugging a relative after the court hearing.

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A jury did not buy the alibi defense but documents that were never turned over confirmed it.

Fleming said on his first full day of freedom that waking up on a soft mattress, hearing a phone ringing instead of a roll call was “when I realized it was real.”

After some time with relatives, his day was spent with his legal team, starting with him asking attorney Anthony Mayol to pick a Starbucks brew for him.

The lawyer ordered a latte.

Bebeto Matthews/AP Fleming is staying with a friend right now until he sets up a new life.

They then went to work on getting everything from an ID card to a permanent home.

“There is a lot he has to catch up on,” said Mayol.

Fleming’s attorneys said they intend to sue the city and the state and were hoping for a quick resolution that will afford their client start-up money.

They also called legislators in Albany to enact a program for people in his situation that would provide temporary housing and a stipend for the first weeks on the outside.

Aaron Showalter/New York Daily News Jonathan Fleming at a steakhouse in Brooklyn Tuesday, immediately following his freedom.

“Convicted felons have assimilation help,” noted another lawyer, Taylor Koss. “I think it’s not that hard.”

Fleming, who’s staying with a friend for now, was starting to adjust, with wide eyes, to the modern, digital world.

“I’m amazed by the new phones,” he said. “They had those big Motorolas last time I was out.”

As part of the many decisions to come, he began contemplating which smart phone to choose.

Although he heard praises for the iPhone, he was leaning towards a Samsung Galaxy.

oyaniv@nydailynews.com

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