Current:Home > MyTexas inmate is exonerated after spending nearly 34 years in prison for wrongful conviction-InfoLens
Texas inmate is exonerated after spending nearly 34 years in prison for wrongful conviction
View Date:2024-12-23 14:10:24
A Texas man who spent 34 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of aggravated assault was exonerated Thursday by a Dallas County judge who ruled that he is actually innocent.
The judge approved a motion by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to dismiss the case against Benjamin Spencer, 59, who was initially convicted in 1987 of murder in the carjacking and death of Jeffrey Young.
“This day has been a long time coming. I am relieved and humbled to help correct this injustice,” said Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot.
Spencer, who has maintained his innocence, saw his 1987 conviction later overturned. He was then tried again and convicted and sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery of Young.
“Benjamin Spencer is actually innocent; there exists no credible or physical evidence that he was in any way involved in this crime,” said assistant District Attorney Cynthia Garza, who leads the office’s Conviction Integrity Unit.
Prosecution witnesses, including a jailhouse informant seeking leniency, gave false testimony, Creuzot said. He added that prosecutors at the time also failed to provide the defense with evidence that would have excluded Spencer from the crime, including fingerprints.
Spencer was released on bond in 2021 after the district attorney’s office found his constitutional rights were violated and he did not receive a fair trial due to the false witness testimony and withholding of evidence.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned his conviction earlier this year, sending the case back to Dallas County.
Spencer is one of the top 60 longest-serving inmates to be declared innocent of the crime, according to data kept by The National Registry of Exonerations.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
- Brand new 2024 Topps Series 1 baseball cards are a 'rebellion against monochrome'
- Fortune 500 oil giant to pay $4 million for air pollution at New Mexico and Texas facilities
- A's new primary play-by-play voice is Jenny Cavnar, first woman with that job in MLB history
- Halle Berry surprises crowd in iconic 2002 Elie Saab gown from her historic Oscar win
- 2 suspected gang members arrested after 4 killed in Los Angeles-area shootings
- Kelsea Ballerini Reveals Her and Chase Stokes’ Unexpected Valentine’s Day Plans
- Kylie Jenner Flaunts Her Toned Six Pack in New Photos
- Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
- Dakota Johnson's Trainer Megan Roup Wants You to Work Out Less
Ranking
- Beyoncé has released lots of new products. Here's a Beyhive gift guide for the holidays
- Pac-12 Conference countersues Holiday Bowl amid swirling changes
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released from hospital, resumes his full duties, Pentagon says
- Connecticut pastor was dealing meth in exchange for watching sex, police say
- Everard Burke Introduce
- Nintendo amps up an old feud in 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong'
- Plane carrying two people lands safely in Buffalo after door blows off 10 minutes into flight
- Dog respiratory illness remains a mystery, but presence of new pathogen confirmed
Recommendation
-
Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
-
Looking for love? You'll find it in 2024 in these 10 romance novels
-
We're Betting You Forgot About These Couples—Including the Stars Ryan Reynolds Dated Before Blake Lively
-
Looking for love? You'll find it in 2024 in these 10 romance novels
-
Colorado police shot, kill mountain lion after animal roamed on school's campus
-
Tom Sandoval Screams at Lisa Vanderpump During Tense Vanderpump Rules Confrontation
-
Unlocking desire through smut; plus, the gospel of bell hooks
-
'Will that be separate checks?' The merits of joint vs. separate bank accounts