On Monday, two men were exonerated for murder convictions from the 1990s. However, only one man walked away free.
“I’m out here now. I’m looking for answers. Hopefully we get them,” said Jabar Walker.
What You Need To Know
- An investigation into Jabar Walker's case by the Innocence Project and the Manhattan district attorney’s office found police pressured a witness’s testimony
- The office said it has dismissed or vacated hundreds of convictions in the last two years due to police misconduct
- During the mid-1990s, 30 officers from the 30th precinct, known as the “Dirty Thirty,” were charged with corruption due to unlawful activates like distributing narcotics and extortion
Walker wanted answers as to why he spent 25 years in prison for murders he did not commit as he walked out of a Manhattan courthouse a free man.
“First thing I want to do is just spend time with my family. That’s all man,” Walker said.
An investigation into his case by the Innocence Project and the Manhattan district attorney’s office found police pressured a witness’s testimony.
The witness, John Mobley, claimed Walker admitted to the murders.
Walker’s vacated conviction is not unique.
He’s one of hundreds of convictions the Manhattan DA’s office said it has dismissed or vacated in the last two years due to police misconduct.
“I’m happy for my son coming back to me. After 30 years I have been through a lot,” said Grace Davis.
While Walker is free, Davis awaits her son Wayne Gardine to come home.
Gardine also had his murder conviction vacated on Monday.
An investigation by Legal Aid Society into his 1994 case found Gardine’s conviction was based on a lie from two teenagers.
But unlike Walker, Gardine has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s custody since he was released on parole last year.
“I hope that they will release him, yeah. I have a feeling they will release him,” Davis said.
Lawyers for both men said officers from the 30th precinct were responsible for their clients’s convictions.
During that time, 30 officers from the precinct, known as the “Dirty Thirty,” were charged with corruption due to unlawful activates like distributing narcotics and extortion.
“From what the judge said and these lawyers working, I put my trust that they will release him,” Davis said.
While Davis said she’s still awaiting what has been wronged to be righted, Gardine, who is originally from Jamaica, is facing deportation.
Davis is holding onto hope her son will be spared.
“The reality is we need pressure because they don’t have to release him,” said Lou Fox, staff attorney from the Legal Aid Society.
In June, the district attorney’s office said there are more than 1,000 cases they’re investigating tied to about a couple dozen officers.