On Friday night, "Dateline" will examine the struggles that Malcolm Scott and Corey Atchison, two brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, have faced with the justice system. After being convicted of separate murders, they have each continued to fight to prove their innocence in the subsequent years. During the newest episode of "Dateline," which is part of NBC News’ “Inequality in America” Series, host Craig Melvin will also take a closer look at the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the aftermath of George Floyd's death.

On Aug. 3, 1990, a "small-time drug dealer" was murdered. That night, Atchison stated that he was driving by the scene and had asked someone to call 911 so that police could be alerted to what had transpired. Upon arrival, law enforcement began looking at Atchison himself as a suspect and subsequently searched him at the scene. He was eventually released.

However, six months later, Atchison was identified as the shooter by a witness who had been there that August night. As a result, Atchison would eventually be convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Over the course of the next 28 years, he would maintain his innocence.

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Then, in 1994, another woman was shot in North Tulsa in a "senseless drive-by shooting." Witnesses then told police that Scott had been responsible for the crime and he was later sentenced to murder and life in prison as well. Scott's case would mimic Atchison's in another way as well, as he too always said that he had not been the one behind the shooting.

In a preview below, Scott discusses the effect that his experiences have had on him. After saying that he felt frustration and sadness over the false claims, he asked how we can solve the problem if we don't know that it exists. As stated by a press release, this is the first time that both brothers are speaking out about what took place.

In addition to Scott and Atchison's stories, "Dateline" will also look more closely at the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and an important part of America's history that may be overlooked at times.

On Friday night's new episode of the NBC crime show, viewers will get a more comprehensive look at what led up to Scott and Atchison's false imprisonments and how racial divides have affected the U.S. on a broader scale as well.

This episode of "Dateline," titled "The Long Road to Freedom," will air Friday night at 10 p.m. EDT on NBC.

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"Dateline" key art is pictured. NBCUniversal
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