|
|
| Fla. Inmate Released From Death Row |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 01/14/2002 |
|
A man who spent 17 years on death row was freed recently after prosecutors decided not to pursue charges in a murder case that fell apart after another man confessed. 'They can give me a billion dollars and they cannot pay for what they did to me,'' Juan Melendez told reporters in the parking lot minutes after being released from Union Correctional Institution. Melendez, 50, was convicted of killing a cosmetology school owner in 1983. His sentence was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, but a transcript of another man's confession was discovered two years ago. Defense attorneys say Vernon James, now deceased, confessed to at least four investigators or attorneys, but none of the admissions was admitted as evidence. A judge last month said Melendez deserved a new trial. Polk County prosecutors decided against another trial because one of the two witnesses against Melendez has recanted and the other is dead, said Chip Thullbery, administrative assistant state attorney. 'That leaves us, frankly, with nothing to proceed on,'' Thullbery said. During his years on death row, Melendez said, he never despaired. 'I'm innocent. I should not die here. I should not spend the rest of my life in prison,'' he said. 'Without hope, I probably would have committed suicide.'' Melendez is the 99th death row inmate to be freed nationwide since 1973 after being exonerated, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a Washington-based anti-death penalty group. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Hiring an attorney can present confusing situations for someone. It’s hard to tell whether you’ll get the best service possible in your situation. You likely have a lot of questions. Will your lawyer hand off your matter to someone else? Will your lawyer return your phone calls? It’s hard to know without someone you can trust. If you been Waco work injury lawyer you need a lawyer. People in Central Texas have trusted Dunnam & Dunnam for almost 100 years for their most pressing legal concerns. They understand the value of a good advocate. They’re a family helping Waco families since 1925.