John Gordon Purvis Jr. (born 1942) is a man who spent nine years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Early life John Purvis was born to John and Emma Jo Purvis in 1942. His father died on February 20, 1945, with the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima in World War II. His mother was devastated, and it seemed to have an effect on Purvis, who had physical problems of his own. At six years old, he would cry and become terrified to go to school and hold his mother. At school, he always sat near the teacher, and if fights broke out between students at school he would cry or do his best to avoid them. As he grew up, he could not keep up with his peers academically and his relationships with girls was shaky at best. A doctor diagnosed him with chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. He would spend his time watching television or eating out with his mother and stepbrother Mike Bartlett. Occasionally, Purvis would suffer panic attacks. He was known for his unusual behavior. The murder of Susan Hamwi A woman named Susan Hamwi had moved out to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July 1983. She was working on her divorce from her husband Paul Hamwi for his abuse. Paul Hamwi was a Vietnam veteran, known for his drinking and obnoxiousness. Susan's friend, Karen Bebee, urged her not to involve herself with him. But Paul and Susan had unprotected sex one night and Susan was pregnant. Paul, in marrying Susan, made her sign a pre-nuptial agreement that required him to pay her nothing upon divorce. Shortly after the marriage, their daughter Shane was born. Upon the divorce proceedings, the pre-nuptial agreement was declared void, since it was made under duress. Paul was then ordered to pay between $150,000 and $180,000 to Susan to support their daughter. Purvis met Susan Hamwi, hoping to establish friendly contact. He was very unusual, but friendly with her. Hamwi was bothered to some degree with Purvis's behavior, but not to the point of rejecting him altogether. On November 1, 1983, after a phone call from a friend, Susan was not heard from again. Neighbors began to express concern. On November 8, 1983, the body of Susan Hamwi was found at her home, with part of a knife. She had been stabbed and strangled with a phone cord. Shane Hamwi was also