Maurice Hastings first requested his DNA be tested in 2000. Twenty-two years later, after nearly four decades in jail. He's a free man.
, making him a free man. DNA evidence from the victim proved Hastings wasn't the one who kidnaped and murdered Wydermyer 39 years ago. Hastings first requested a DNA test back in 2000, 22 years ago. Something as simple as a DNA test took more than two decades and multiple advocacy groups to make it a reality.
Back in 2000, Hasting made his request alone, but that request was denied by the LA County DA’s office. But Hastings maintained his innocence.Maurice Hastings is now a free man after DNA evidence cleared me of crimes he was convicted for in 1988.Eventually, Hastings had a team working on his behalf, including lawyers from the California Innocence Project, the Post-Conviction Assistance Center and Loyola Marymount University's Project for the Innocent.
The real suspect is dead. According to the DA's office, he died in 2020, serving prison time for a separate kidnapping and rape. Hastings was tried twice in the ‘80s. The first jury was deadlocked, but a second jury convicted him, and Hastings was sentenced in 1988 to life without the possibility of parole. The jury did consider the death penalty in that case. Hastings’ advocates say that if he had gotten the death penalty before getting the chance to prove his innocence.
"It was really hard," Hastings said of his time in prison during a press conference Friday. "…Always have the fortitude to continue to move forward."that I have read and agree
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One man's road to exoneration after nearly 40 yearsMaurice Hastings first requested his DNA be tested in 2000. Twenty-two years later, after nearly four decades in jail. He's a free man.
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