Jon-Adrian JJ Velazquez, a man who spent nearly a quarter of a century behind bars for a crime he did not commit, has finally been exonerated.
Velazquez, who starred in the 2021 film "Sing Sing," was wrongfully convicted for the murder of retired New York City police officer Albert Ward during a 1998 robbery. However, a Manhattan judge has now vacated the 48-year-old's conviction, acknowledging the miscarriage of justice that had taken place.
According to ABC News, the decision to overturn Velazquez's conviction was announced by District Attorney Alvin Braggs office. This came after the office itself joined Velazquez in his request to have the conviction vacated. The move was prompted by the emergence of new DNA evidence, which prosecutors argued conclusively cleared Velazquez's name.
Emerging from the courthouse, Velazquez, donning a cap with the phrase End of an Error emblazoned on it, stated, This isnt a celebration. This is an indictment of the system." His words underscore the gravity of the situation, highlighting the systemic flaws that led to his wrongful conviction and subsequent incarceration.
The case against Velazquez, which resulted in his conviction in 1999, was primarily based on the testimonies of four eyewitnesses. However, Velazquez and his mother consistently maintained that he was at his Bronx home, speaking with her on the phone at the time of the shooting. Two of the witnesses later recanted their statements identifying Velazquez, although one later reversed his recantation.
In 2022, Braggs office reopened the case and had the medical examiners office compare Velazquezs DNA to a betting slip handled by the suspect. The DNA comparison, which was not available at the time of his trial, found that Velazquezs DNA wasnt on the slip. Prosecutors concluded that the results of the DNA testing could have impacted the jurys decision. They also noted that no physical evidence connected Velazquez to the crime, and that eyewitnesses provided inconsistent statements.
Velazquez's fight for justice was bolstered by the support of "West Wing" and "Apocalypse Now" star Martin Sheen, who held a press conference spotlighting the case in 2011. NBCs Dateline also examined it in 2012.
Despite the adversity he faced, Velazquez remained resilient during his time in prison. He earned a bachelors degree, worked as a teaching fellow for a Columbia University professor, and enlisted fellow inmates in launching gun violence prevention, youth mentorship, and other programs. He has continued this work since his release.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed hope for Velazquez's future, stating, JJ Velazquez has lived in the shadow of his conviction for more than 25 years, and I hope that today brings with it a new chapter for him. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due process and the potential for human error within the justice system.
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