Innocent Man Released After 27 Years of Unjust Imprisonment
Man Wrongfully Convicted for Decades Finally Exonerated
LOS ANGELES—In a stunning turn of events, a man who spent nearly three decades behind bars for crimes he did not commit has been declared innocent and released from prison, announced Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón on Sept. 26.
Gerardo Cabanillas was just 18 years old when he was arrested in 1995. The following year, he was wrongfully convicted by a jury of robbery, kidnapping, rape, and sexual assault. Despite his innocence, he was sentenced to a staggering 15 years to life, along with an additional 72 years and four months in state prison, as Mr. Gascón revealed.
The case revolved around an armed robbery, kidnapping, and rape that occurred in January 1995. However, new evidence has now emerged, proving Mr. Cabanillas’ innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt.
According to the California Innocence Project, Mr. Cabanillas was arrested a few days after the incident simply because he vaguely matched the description of the suspect. Detectives allegedly coerced him into confessing by promising probation and his release. However, instead of keeping their word, the prosecution piled on 14 felony charges, including robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, rape, and sodomy.
Thankfully, Mr. Cabanillas, with the help of his attorney from the California Innocence Project, submitted a claim to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, seeking a review of his case based on his factual innocence. After extensive analysis, including DNA evidence that definitively proved his innocence, a petition was filed in December to secure his release.
After a meticulous review of the trial evidence and the newly discovered information, the District Attorney’s Office lost confidence in Mr. Cabanillas’ convictions, leading to the vacating of his conviction by Judge William C. Ryan on Sept. 21. Finally, after more than 27 years of wrongful incarceration, Mr. Cabanillas walked free.
“Today, we acknowledge a grave injustice that has resulted in the unjust more than 27-year incarceration of Mr. Cabanillas,” expressed Mr. Gascón in a statement on Tuesday. “Upon thorough reexamination of the evidence and a comprehensive review of the case by my office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, it has become abundantly clear that a serious error was made. I extend my deepest apologies to Mr. Cabanillas for the miscarriage of justice and the failure of our criminal legal system.”
How did advanced DNA technology contribute to the exoneration of Gerardo Cabanillas in his wrongful conviction case?
Leading-[18px]”>9/26/2023
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