Wrongfully convicted, Artis Whitehead is free after 21 years but fettered
Artis Whitehead rejoices outside the Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice System after finding out he was exonerated by Shelby County Criminal Court Division 2 Judge Jennifer Fitzgerald. Whitehead served nearly 21 years in prison for a robbery that occurred at B.B. King’s restaurant on Beale Street in 2002. (Carter Malone Group)
“You miss graduation, you miss birthday parties. You miss the little scrapes and the falls,” Artis Whitehead said of the things he missed about being a dad during the 21 years he spent in prison. “You miss being able to actually guide them.”
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Julia Baker
A lifelong Memphian, Julia Baker graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
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