Viewers voice heartbreak and concern after Oprah interviews Central Park Five

George Back
·Producer, Yahoo Entertainment
Updated

The Central Park Five sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss the Netflix series When They See Us, in Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now. The Netflix series chronicles the wrongful rape conviction, years of incarceration and subsequent exoneration of Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, Raymond Santana and Kevin Richardson. All five men were between 14 and 16 years of age at the time.

The interview was incredibly emotional, especially when McCray admitted that he still struggles with the injustice he endured. Fighting back tears, McCray said, “Even to this day I'm damaged. I need help. I know it. I try to keep myself busy. The system broke a lot of things in me that can't be fixed.”

McCray’s father, Bobby McCray, pressured his son to confess to the crime in hopes of being granted leniency by the prosecution. When asked if he has forgiven his father, McCray said, “No ma'am ... he’s a coward ... I hate him, my life is ruined.”

Despite his struggles, McCray did say that his wife and children give him hope. And the series director, Ava DuVernay voiced her support for McCray on Twitter.

All five men received part of an initial $41-million settlement, and an additional $3.9-million settlement. But they say the money will never heal the invisible scars they have endured.

Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now aired Wednesday night at 10 p.m. on OWN.

Watch as Chris Hemsworth debuts hilarious video of ‘Fat Thor’ performing Johnny Cash:

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter.