Rae Carruth was once a promising wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, but his life took a dark turn when he was convicted of conspiring to murder his pregnant girlfriend, Cherica Adams, in 1999. After spending nearly 19 years in prison, Carruth was released in 2018 and has been trying to rebuild his life ever since. But what is Rae Carruth doing now, and how does he cope with the consequences of his actions?
The Tragic Crime That Changed Everything
Carruth and Adams had a casual relationship that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. Carruth was not happy about becoming a father and pressured Adams to have an abortion, but she refused. On November 16, 1999, Carruth and Adams went to a movie theater together and then drove away in separate cars. Carruth stopped his car in front of Adams’ vehicle, allowing another car to pull up beside her and open fire. Adams was shot four times by Van Brett Watkins Sr., a nightclub manager and associate of Carruth.
Adams managed to call 911 and implicate Carruth in the shooting. She was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent an emergency cesarean section to deliver her son, Chancellor Lee Adams. The baby survived but suffered permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation. Cherica Adams died four weeks later from organ failure caused by her injuries.
Carruth fled the scene of the crime and went into hiding, but he was arrested after a nationwide manhunt. He was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, using an instrument to destroy an unborn child, and discharging a firearm into occupied property. He pleaded not guilty and went to trial in 2001.
The prosecution’s key witnesses were Watkins, who confessed to being the shooter, and Candace Smith, a former girlfriend of Carruth’s who testified that he admitted to planning the ambush. The defense argued that Carruth was innocent and that Watkins acted on his own out of anger over a drug deal gone bad. The jury deliberated for four days before finding Carruth guilty of three of the four charges, but not the first-degree murder charge. He was sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison.
The Release and Redemption of Rae Carruth
Carruth served his sentence at Sampson Correctional Institution in North Carolina, where he worked as a licensed barber for $1 per day, plus tips. He also participated in educational and religious programs and maintained a good disciplinary record. He expressed remorse for his role in Adams’ death and said he wanted to be a part of his son’s life.
In October 2018, Carruth was released from prison after serving nearly 19 years behind bars. He moved to Pennsylvania with a friend and started working from home. He said he was nervous about how the public would receive him and that he was afraid of the hate and negativity toward him. He also said he wanted to apologize to Saundra Adams, Cherica’s mother, who had raised Chancellor as her own.
Saundra Adams had initially said she would be willing to forgive Carruth and let him meet Chancellor, but she changed her mind after reading a letter that Carruth sent her in 2018. In the letter, Carruth claimed that he was not responsible for Cherica’s death and that Saundra had lied about him in the media. He also accused her of exploiting Chancellor for financial gain and said he wanted full custody of his son.
Saundra Adams responded by saying that Carruth was still in denial and that he had no right to demand custody of Chancellor after abandoning him for so long. She said she would never let Carruth see Chancellor unless he admitted his guilt and asked for forgiveness. She also said she would continue to love and care for Chancellor, who is now 23 years old and has overcome many challenges despite his disabilities.
The Future of Rae Carruth
Rae Carruth is now 47 years old and has been living as a free man for almost three years. He has not spoken publicly since his release from prison, but he has reportedly been trying to live as a changed man. He has been attending church services regularly and has been involved in community service projects. He has also been writing a book about his life story, hoping to share his perspective and clear his name.
However, Carruth still faces many obstacles in his quest for redemption. He is still widely despised by many people who remember his crime and consider him a cold-blooded killer. He is also estranged from his son, who he has never met or spoken to. He has not been able to establish a relationship with Saundra Adams or any other members of Cherica’s family, who have rejected his attempts at reconciliation.
Carruth has said that he hopes to someday reunite with Chancellor and show him that he loves him. He has also said that he hopes to someday find a woman who will accept him for who he is and not judge him for his past. He has said that he believes in God’s grace and forgiveness and that he hopes to find peace and happiness in his life.
According to Hollywood Mask, Carruth is now a barber and a writer who is trying to move on from his past. According to Yahoo Sports, Carruth is now a churchgoer and a community worker who is trying to make a positive difference in the world. According to The Cinemaholic, Carruth is now a free man but still a felon who has to live with the consequences of his actions.
