In November, I went searching for Rae Carruth.
The former Carolina Panthers wide receiver has been out of prison since Oct. 22. He was released after serving nearly 19 years in North Carolina prisons in connection with the murder of Cherica Adams, his pregnant girlfriend, and the permanent disabling of their son, Chancellor Lee Adams, in 1999.
Carruth was known to be living in Pennsylvania. State officials had confirmed that, although they were careful not to say where exactly he resided.
But I found out. And so I flew to Pennsylvania, rented a car and parked in Carruth's driveway. I walked seven steps to his porch.
And then I rang his doorbell.
My heart was beating fast. I had devoted much of the past year to help produce a multimedia project for the Charlotte Observer called "Carruth" _ a video documentary, an extensive print series and a seven-part serialized podcast.
But I hadn't spoken face-to-face with the Panthers' former first-round draft choice for more than 20 years. Carruth had turned down more than a dozen of my interview requests while he was in prison.
If he was home _ and there were no cars parked in the driveway besides my rented Buick _ there was no telling what sort of reception I would get.
The sound of the doorbell riled up two small dogs inside the house. They ran to the glass storm door, saw me and began barking furiously.
Then a silhouette appeared inside, and the dogs were suddenly quiet.
It was Rae Carruth.
