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"Finally this day has come", he is declared innocent after 34 years in prison

2024-08-30 11:04:49Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
"Finally this day has come", he is declared innocent after 34 years in
Benjamin Spencer

Benjamin Spencer, wrongly convicted by a Texas court that sent him to 34 years in prison for a murder in the 1980s, was found not guilty on Thursday. He said that although he could not turn back time, he was happy and would move forward.

"I'm excited that this day has finally come," said Mr. Spencer, now 59.

A Dallas County judge granted a motion by the district attorney's office to dismiss a charge against Mr. Spencer of aggravated robbery. He was originally convicted of murdering Jeffrey Young in 1987 during a carjacking.

"It's a good day," said defense lawyer Cheryl Wattley, who has worked on Mr. Spencer's case for more than 20 years. "I'm trying really hard not to cry," she added.

Ms. Wattley praised Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot for taking the case seriously.

Mr. Creuzot said he was "relieved and humbled to help correct this injustice," as he put it.

Prosecution witnesses, including an informant who was in prison and was seeking a reduced sentence, had given false testimony, Mr. Creuzot said. He added that prosecutors at the time had not provided the defense with evidence exonerating Mr. Spencer from the crime, including fingerprints.

Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Garza, who heads the Sentencing Integrity Unit, said: "There is no credible or physical evidence that he was involved in any way in the commission of the crime."

Mr. Spencer is one of 60 acquittals who have served the longest time in prison, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

Under Texas law, Mr. Spencer is entitled to, among other things, a payout of about $80,000 for each year he has served in prison, his lawyer, Ms. Wattley, said.

She added that Mr. Spencer is trying to live his life with honor and "trying to be an example that others can be inspired by"./VOA


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