On September 15, 2022, Corey Hines was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole for a crime he did not commit that occurred in Whiteville NC. 

Corey is an amazing and loving father, son, brother, husband, and friend that doesn't deserve to be serving time for a crime he did not commit. Corey lived a normal life spending most of his time working to provide for his young son. When he wasn't working he loved making music and surrounding himself around family and friends that love him. Corey has the most genuine and authentic heart that we all admire. He did not mind helping others, even put their needs before his own. This false accusation was fabricated by law enforcement and pinned on Corey with no evidence. 

On December 11, 2017, a convicted felon, Deron Blanks, was parked  in front of a gas station late at night when another vehicle, Elliott Dew, pulled in and parked next to a gas pump then getting in the car with Blanks. Exchanges involving drugs were made between Blanks and all the people standing outside the gas station. While Blanks and Dew sat inside the vehicle shots were fired from close beside the gas station. At the same time, a vehicle drove through the gas station parking lot and back onto the road. This vehicle never stopped and had all windows up, according to the surveillance video that was presented. Blanks sustained non life threatening injuries but unfortunately Dew sustained fatal injuries. The store clerk testified that he helped remove bags of guns, ammunition, and drugs from Blanks trunk before law enforcement arrived along with the people standing outside the gas station that saw what happened. 

According to Blanks, allegedly he saw Corey hanging out of the window shooting from the backseat of the vehicle that drove through. The issue with his testimony is the evidence presented showed the opposite. Corey was never seen at this scene and bullet shell casings were nowhere near where Blanks said he saw Corey meaning he was in fact lying. Before law enforcement arrived Blanks texted his girlfriend saying "Roc shot me". SBI agent Hunter Whitt and the lead detective Amy Corder from Columbus County Sheriffs Office, knew of this text and never followed up. In fact, when Whitt was asked how he ruled this person out as a suspect he couldn't answer. Whitt said "I never found out who those people were" referring to the individuals standing outside the gas station including Roc. He also testified that he ruled the individuals out as suspects without even finding out their real names. 

When the first responding officers from Whiteville Police Department arrived, Blanks was asked did he see the shooter, "no" was his response. Blanks was also asked multiple times at the hospital by detective Amy Corder and SBI agent Hunter Whitt and he denied seeing the shooter, he told them "it could've been anybody, people are jealous of me". Corey was targeted by Detective Corder and we know this because she specifically mentioned Corey's name to Blanks in an interview, but he still denied it was Corey. When Blanks realized that he would be transported to the county jail after leaving the hospital he then changed his fabricated story. He wrote a letter to the SBI asking for help getting out of jail so SBI agent Whitt interviewed Blanks again. Blanks goes on to say how if he helps them they have to help him. He also made a phone call to someone while in jail telling them that this was his "get out of jail free card", all recorded.

December 21, 2017 Corey was arrested and accused of this homicide that he did not commit. The Assistant District Attorneys on Corey's case, Sarah Mcpherson and Heath Nance, alleges that Corey's motive for committing this crime was he wanted revenge on Blanks for his brothers death. However, law enforcement testified that Corey's brothers homicide was and still is a "cold case" meaning no suspects or leads on who was responsible. There is no evidence that Corey knew about Blanks having anything to do with his brothers passing. Blanks had more than enough reason to lie on Corey because he was paranoid, he wanted to get out of jail, and the detective basically told him that's who she wanted him to say did this crime from the interview. Corey even had an alibi that the states witness confirmed was true. His cellphone also put him at her house all night, never moved. 

During the trial, Corey's constitutional rights was violated several times, one being to an impartial jury. Jurors were on the elevator with the victims family, which is a violation and should result in a mistrial but nothing was done about it. All of the evidence presented established that Corey is innocent. This entire case was orchestrated on speculation and hear say because of the lack of investigation due to biases against Corey that law enforcement already had. Every law enforcement officer that testified stated that they never seen Corey or had any encounters with him but they definitely knew Blanks from him getting arrested for drugs and guns multiple times. This homicide could've potentially been a drug deal gone bad that unfortunately was pinned on Corey. 

FACTS ABOUT CASE                                                               1. No weapon                                                     2. No DNA          
3. Investigation not properly done                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
4. No evidence linking Corey to this crime      
5. Video footage never showed Corey               
6. Bullet that struck victim was never tested
7. Gun powder on victims clothing                  
8. Blanks hands never tested for gun powder  
9. Detectives and SBI never followed up on suspects                                                            
10. Corey was targeted                                    
11. Corey has no criminal record                      
12. Illegal guns, drugs, ammunition, removed from scene                                                        
13. Judge told ADAs that they didn't have enough evidence in this case                           14. Blanks is not a credible witness 

After spending 6 years behind bars, not being able to communicate with his family much and missing out on countless moments, Corey remains humble, strong, positive, and hopeful.His mental health has been tried and it never gets easier. The nature of this crime leaves Corey unable to continue his education through programs or to work. Coreys name has been denigrated by so many people but we will continue to put the truth out and fight this ongoing battle until Corey gets justice. 

An appeal has been filed for Corey's wrongful conviction and we will be working to show the corrupt and unjust wrongdoings of the justice system. I encourage everyone reading to please sign and share this petition, hold everyone involved accountable, Detective Amy Corder of the Columbus County Sheriffs Office, SBI agent Hunter Whitt, District Attorney Jon David and his Assistants Sarah McPherson and Heath Nance, and all the jurors in this false verdict. PLEASE HELP DEMAND JUSTICE AND BRING COREY HINES, AN INNOCENT MAN HOME! 
https://www.columbuscountynews.com/2021/09/three-county-chase-results-in-5-16-million-bond/

https://www.wect.com/story/37307109/4-accused-of-conspiring-to-sell-cocaine-to-post-inmates-bond/