DNA test exonerates man in prison for 26 years
Cutting off the GPS monitor
A Florida judge threw out the rape and murder conviction of a man who served more than half his life in prison before DNA testing exonerated him.
“Let me take the opportunity to apologize to you for the criminal justice system of the state of Florida,” Broward County Circuit Judge Thomas M. Lynch IV told Anthony Caravella, 41, who served more than half his life, or nearly 26 years, in prison for a crime DNA tests said he didn’t commit…
Caravella was 15 and had an IQ of 67, well below normal, when he was charged with the Nov. 5, 1983, murder of Ada Cox Jankowski, 58, in Miramar, Fla.
Public defender Diane Cuddihy argued last year new evidence showed police had hit and coerced the mentally challenged teen into confessing, promising a girlfriend would be freed if he helped them…
DNA test results exonerated Caravella Wednesday. County prosecutors asked Lynch Thursday to throw out his conviction and life sentence.
“I waited a very long time for this — it feels good, man,” the Sun-Sentinel quoted Caravella as saying.
Caravella was provisionally released six months ago when early tests seemed to clear him. But he had to wear a GPS monitor and obey a curfew while prosecutors did further forensic testing.
He said Thursday he felt 10 pounds lighter without the GPS device around his ankle.
How many more like him remain in prison – convicted unjustly?
“how many more…” – probably thousands and thousands. Which, of course, means just as many thousands and thousands of criminals are still on the street. It is one of the most pathetic faces of America.
And the individuals who were complicent and helped cause the corrupt situation which includes false imprisonment and criminal allowances? Well, they either are still collecting a paycheck or retired and collecting retirement. Accountability in their future? No, they won’t face any sort of accountability – and that is one of the reasons and exactly why continued false accusations and imprisonments shall forever be perpetrated in the United States. (unless of course your an extremely lucky lacrosse player from a rich family)
In the meantime American taxpayers are footing the bill (which have moral implications as well) while the families of the wrongfully accused/imprsioned continue to suffer almost as much as those individuals who have had the lives STOLEN.
Here’s an idea in line with morals, job creation and ecomonic stimilus via saving taxpayer’s money – how about creating a real federal entity that reviews all cases in which someone has been incarcerated in the United States.
E Trams
March 29, 2010 at 5:52 am
“But he had to wear a GPS monitor”
To know the coordinates or to find a way to freedom ?!
dna
March 29, 2010 at 6:33 am
Pretty common device used in most police jurisdictions to track someone considered a flight risk.
Pretty fracking absurd in this case.
god
March 29, 2010 at 8:29 am
These “miscarriages of justice” never cease to amaze me. The police are never prosecuted for their crimes. The prosecutors are never disciplined by the bar. Complicit Judges all get a pass. And the guilty persons continue to walk the streets.
Mr. Fusion
March 29, 2010 at 11:38 am
How true!
And I am sure examples of this are documented, with proof.
E Trams
March 29, 2010 at 12:34 pm