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Murder conviction of Chicago man who spent 12 years behind bars overturned because key eyewitness was legally blind (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 10 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
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The witness was allegedly suffering from advanced glaucoma at the time of the crime, severely limiting visibility. Surveillance video from the scene also revealed the eyewitness was much farther away than he initially claimed to be, according to the Exoneration Project.

A Chicago man who spent more than a decade in prison after he was found guilty of murder primarily based on the testimony of a “blind eyewitness” will get a new trial, his attorney said.

Darien Harris, 30, was convicted following a 2011 shooting that left 23-year-old Rondell Moore dead and another seriously injured, the Chicago Tribune reported. Harris, who is Black, was 18 at the time and has always maintained his innocence.

On Tuesday, a Cook County judge vacated Harris’ conviction, the Exoneration Project said. Judge Diana Kenworthy said it was best to “start over,” according to the newspaper.

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[-] girlfreddy@lemmy.world 62 points 10 months ago

Because of the seriousness of the crime, the judge said, Harris will not be released as he waits for a new trial, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. A new trial date has not been set.

This is a load of shit. A blind witness AND cop intimidation should automatically lead to being freed from jail until a new trial begins.

Justice my ass. Pfft.

ACAB

[-] prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works 20 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

AT THE VERY LEAST released to home arrest

Man has effectively been on pretrial confinement for 12 years

[-] reverendsteveii@lemm.ee 13 points 10 months ago

He's staying in jail, it doesn't really matter what if anything he did.

---the US justice system having a normal one

[-] Maeve@kbin.social 8 points 10 months ago

Lawsuit incoming.

[-] Veedem@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

That is absolute bullshit.

this post was submitted on 10 Dec 2023
155 points (100.0% liked)

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