Global Courant 2023-05-26 08:45:08
A California man who spent 33 years behind bars for attempted murder has been released after the state reopened his case and determined he was not involved in the crime, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced Thursday.
Prosecutor George Gascón said 55-year-old Daniel Saldana would now be allowed to walk free after being one of three men charged in a shooting near a high school in 1990.
“I know this won’t take you back to the decades you spent in prison. But I hope our apologies can bring you some comfort as you start your new life,” Gascón said at a news conference.
He added: “Not only is this a tragedy to force people into prison for a crime they didn’t commit, but every time an injustice of this magnitude happens, the real ones responsible are still there to commit other crimes.” commit.”
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In this undated photo provided by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Daniel Saldana waves. Saldana, who spent 33 years in California prison for attempted murder, has been declared innocent and released. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office via AP)
Saldana was arrested in 1990 when he was 22 years old for allegedly firing a gun at a car containing six teenagers.
He was convicted of six counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle and was sentenced to 45 years to life in state prison. Two other suspects were charged in connection with the shooting.
Gascón’s office reopened the case in February after learning that another convicted assailant told authorities in 2017 that Saldana was “in no way involved in the shooting, and he was not present during the incident,” the officer said. justice.
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Six years after the testimony was given, Saldana was declared innocent, Gascón said.
This undated photo, provided by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, shows Daniel Saldana, right, shaking hands with Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, left. Saldana’s lawyer Mike Romano is in the middle. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office via AP)
The delay was attributed to a former deputy district attorney who was present at the parole hearing where the convicted assailant gave the exculpatory testimony. The official “apparently did nothing” with the testimony because he failed to notify Saldana or his lawyer, as required by law, the prosecutor said.
Saldana appeared at a press conference with Gascón on Thursday and said he was grateful to have been released.
“It’s a struggle, waking up every day knowing you’re innocent and here I am locked in a cell, crying for help,” Saldana said.
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This undated photo, provided by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, shows Daniel Saldana, right, flanked by his attorney Mike Romano, center, and fellow exoneree Frankie Carrillo, rear left. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office via AP)
He added, “I’m just so glad this day has come.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
