For 17 years, LaShawn Fitch has fought for his freedom, saying he never participated in the 2008 murder in Eatontown, Monmouth County, that landed him behind bars on a 40-year prison term.according to the Press of Atlantic City Thursday, he was released from South Woods State Prison to an impatient, joyful crowd of family and other supporters, after Gov. Phil Murphy commuted his sentence last month. He was one of 283 people to get clemency so far under a sweeping initiative Murphy began last year.