Sixth defendant in Central Park Five case exonerated News
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Sixth defendant in Central Park Five case exonerated

A New York judge Monday exonerated a sixth defendant in the Central Park jogger case. Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yusef Salaam, known as the Central Park Five, were also wrongfully convicted and were exonerated in 2002 using DNA evidence.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr. filed a motion to vacate Steven Lopez’s conviction and indictment for the rape and attempted murder of Trisha Meili in 1989. Lopez was arrested in 1989 in connection to the case. In his motion, Bragg states that “the prosecution no longer has confidence in Mr. Lopez’s conviction.” Bragg believes that Lopez’s guilty plea was involuntary and “deserving of remedial measures.”

Judge Ellen Biben granted the motion vacating Lopez’s conviction and dismissing the indictment. The judge wished Lopez “peace and healing.” Lopez’s attorney said he believes what happened to Lopez “was an American tragedy,” and it is “truly unbelievable to see how the system failed” Lopez.

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