RALEIGH  --  Governor Pat McCrory has pardoned two men who were exonerated after serving decades in prison for murder charges.  The pardon comes nine months after  a Superior Court found them innocent of rape and murder convictions.

The Governor issued a statement Thursday:

“Today, I announce that I am granting pardons of innocence to Henry McCollum and Leon Brown

“As with all pardons of innocence, both pardon applications for Mr. McCollum and Mr. Brown were thoroughly reviewed by the Office of Executive Clemency, my legal team, and the Clemency Committee.

“Many individuals were contacted and interviewed, and I met personally with Mr. McCollum and Mr. Brown.

“It is difficult for anyone to know for certain what happened the night of Sabrina Buie’s murder. My deepest sympathies go out to the family of Sabrina Buie for what they have endured.

“I know there are differing opinions about this case and who is responsible. This has been a comprehensive and thoughtful process during the past nine months. Based on the available evidence I’ve reviewed, I am granting pardons of innocence to Henry McCollum and Leon Brown. It's the right thing to do.”

The two were wrongfully convicted in the  of the 1983 rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Robeson County.

Each man qualifies for $50,000 for each year they were imprisoned, up to a maximum of $750,000. They needed a gubernatorial pardon in order to collect the compensation.