Jon-Adrian 'JJ' Velazquez was released from prison after his conviction was vacated. The Manhattan courthouse saw a display of Puerto Rican flags celebrating his freedom.
Amsterdam News has been reporting the news of the day from a Black perspective for 113 years. Donors who choose to give monthly or annually will receive Amsterdam News’ Weekly E-Edition and acclaimed weekday newsletter Editorially Black to their inbox!Jon-Adrian Velazquez leaves the courthouse after his conviction is vacated with his fiance and his mom .
As for himself, Velazquez was a “mix of emotions” before the official vacatur. He was certainly anxious, but knew he would be elated. Technology developed after the original trial showed Velazaquez’s DNA was absent on a betting slip handled by the shooter. And the Manhattan D.A.’s reinvestigation found no evidence connecting him to the murder and that “eyewitnesses provided inconsistent descriptions.”
Playwright Brent Buell — who co-produced “Sing Sing” and volunteered for prison arts program Rehabilitation Through the Arts during Velazquez’s incarceration — also showed up for his longtime friend. “The difference between and vacating a conviction is now his innocence is established in court,” said Deskovic, a former exoneree himself. “Before that, his innocence was not established, because he only had received clemency. It’s very important, mentally, emotionally, psychologically, to have a court recognize that you’re innocent. That way, you don’t have this charge still on your record.”.
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