He was America's longest-serving prisoner who was wrongfully convicted of two counts of first-degree murder by association and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole as a juvenile, at the age of 15.
Ligon didn't grow up with many friends, and instead remembers spending most of his time with his family, such as watching his grandfather preach in a local church on Sundays.
At age 13, Ligon moved back to South Philadelphia to live in a blue-collar neighborhood with his family.
[1] [2] [3] On February 20, 1953, while living in South Philadelphia, Ligon was part of an alcohol-fueled stabbing spree with five teenagers that resulted in the death of Charles Pitts and Jackson Hamm and the injury of six others.
[2] After Ligon was arrested, he claimed he was not permitted legal representation or family visitation and signed confessions put in front of him by the police.
Ligon and the other defendants had a one-day trial and they were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
[2] After being released, Ligon moved into a West Philadelphia rowhome and stated that he intended to gain employment as a janitor, attend the Bible Way Baptist Church, get a gym membership, and visit his sister and nieces and nephews in New Jersey.