Unjustly Imprisoned Minnesota Teenager Freed After Two Decades
Twenty-three-year-old Marvin Haynes was sentenced to first-degree murder in 2004 for shooting Randy Sherer, 55, in a Minneapolis florist shop. The case against him relied overwhelmingly on eyewitness testimonies. One witness later admitted they had not gotten a clear look at the suspect, while another recanted their statement.
In an investigation spearheaded by the Great Northern Innocence Project, Hennepin County's prosecutors acknowledged that Haynes' right to a fair trial had been violated. The Project's press release stated that Haynes' conviction was overturned during a hearing in November, in which his lawyer presented evidence showing that the identification methods used to convict Haynes did not adhere to best practices and were unnecessarily suggestive.
In a press release, Haynes thanked the Great Northern Innocence Project, Julie Jonas, his family and friends, among others, who had supported him throughout his lengthy ordeal.
Hennepin County's Prosecutor Mary Moriarty dubbed Haynes' prosecution as a "shocking injustice" in a Monday press release. She explained that there were no forensic evidence such as fingerprints or DNA, no video linking Haynes to the crime, and the murder weapon was never found.
Moriarty apologized to Haynes, stating, "You lost the opportunity to graduate from high school, attend prom, build relationships, and participate in family events and holidays. I deeply regret this."
Further Reading
In their statement, the Great Northern Innocence Project thanked the public for supporting Marvin Haynes during his relentless legal battle.
"The lack of physical evidence and flawed eyewitness testimonies eventually led to a review of Haynes' case, resulting in his exoneration and release after almost two decades in prison."
Moriarty described Haynes' prosecution as a "terrible injustice" in her Monday press release.
Source:
The Great Northern Innocence Project said in a statement that his conviction was overturned after a hearing in November, during which his lawyer presented evidence showing that the identification methods used to convict him did not follow best practices and were unnecessarily suggestive.
Incorporated from Enrichment Data
The police used alleged coercion and suggestion to get witnesses to identify Haynes as a suspect, which further cast doubt on the credibility of the eyewitness accounts. Apart from this, the case against Haynes relied heavily on eyewitness testimonies, and there was no physical evidence linking Haynes to the crime.
Revised and Vary Sentences
Following his release, Haynes filed a wrongful conviction lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and five police officers, alleging "extraordinary misconduct" that led to his wrongful arrest and conviction. The lawsuit seeks damages for the years he spent in prison and aims to hold the police accountable for their actions.
Integrated Enrichment Data
Reorganized Paragraphs for Clarity
Haynes was initially convicted of first-degree murder in 2004, based largely on eyewitness testimonies. However, the eyewitness testimonies were later found to be unreliable, and police used alleged coercion and suggestion to get witnesses to identify Haynes as a suspect. Two decades later, a review of the case led to his exoneration.
In a statement, the Great Northern Innocence Project thanked the public for supporting Haynes during his relentless legal battle. In a Monday press release, Hennepin County's Prosecutor Mary Moriarty described Haynes' prosecution as a "terrible injustice," admitting there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime.
Following his release, Haynes filed a wrongful conviction lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and five police officers, alleging "extraordinary misconduct" that led to his wrongful arrest and conviction. The lawsuit seeks damages for the years he spent in prison and aims to hold the police accountable for their actions.
