After serving 25 years in prison, a man from New York has finally been cleared of all charges.
According to ABC News, New York City prosecutors have vacated the murder conviction of Jabar Walker, a 49-year-old individual, on Monday, December 4th.
In May 1995, two individuals, William Santana and Ismael De La Cruz, were found dead inside a vehicle in Harlem. Subsequently, Walker was convicted of their murder in 1998. His involvement in the murder-for-hire case led to him being sentenced to two consecutive terms of 25 years to life imprisonment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made a significant announcement on Monday, declaring that Walker’s conviction was unjust. He emphasized the presence of “newly discovered evidence” and the inadequate legal representation that Walker received during his trial.
Brigg emphasized that Jabar Walker’s conviction was based on unreliable and later retracted testimony. Moreover, Walker was denied the right to a competent defense attorney, a fundamental principle of our criminal justice system. Despite these significant concerns, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Brigg expressed his joy at Walker finally being able to reunite with his loved ones and extended gratitude to the Innocence Project for their steadfast support throughout the case.
Walker entered the courtroom on Monday, his hands bound by handcuffs. However, as the proceedings came to a close, he exited the courtroom a free man. According to Bragg, his office decided not to re-prosecute Walker in the interest of justice and due to the inability to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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