Minnesota Man Wrongfully Convicted of Murder Exonerated After Nearly 20 Years in Prison

In a shocking turn of events, Marvin Haynes, a man who spent nearly two decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit, was released from a Minneapolis prison on Monday. Haynes, now 35 years old, was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in 2004 for the shooting of 55-year-old Randy Sherer at a Minneapolis flower shop. At the time of the crime, Haynes was only 16 years old.

The case against Haynes relied heavily on eyewitness evidence, which later proved to be unreliable. One witness recanted his testimony, stating that he never got a good look at the suspect, while another witness admitted that the identification procedures used were inconsistent with best practices. As a result of a review conducted by the Great North Innocence Project, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office determined that Haynes' right to due process was violated.

Following a November hearing, during which his attorneys presented evidence showing the flaws in the identification procedures, Haynes' conviction was vacated. The Great North Innocence Project released a statement, expressing gratitude for the successful review of the case. Haynes himself expressed his appreciation for those who supported him throughout his long and unjust journey.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty issued a public apology to Haynes, acknowledging the terrible injustice that had been done. She highlighted the lack of forensic evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, and the absence of any video connecting Haynes to the crime. Additionally, the murder weapon was never recovered.

Moriarty emphasized that Haynes and his family had suffered greatly due to the wrongful conviction. She acknowledged that Haynes had missed out on important life milestones, such as graduating from high school, attending prom, and being present for family gatherings during holidays. Moriarty expressed deep regret for the harm inflicted on both Haynes and Sherer's families, as well as the community.

The judge who presided over the case, William Koch, determined that the eyewitness evidence presented during Haynes' trial was unconstitutionally admitted. He stated that without this unreliable evidence, there would not have been sufficient grounds for a conviction. Koch dismissed all charges against Haynes with prejudice, meaning they cannot be filed again.

During the evidentiary hearing, Haynes' attorneys successfully argued that he did not match the physical description provided by the primary eyewitness. They highlighted significant differences in height, weight, and hairstyle. Furthermore, problems were identified with how investigators conducted a photo lineup, which did not include Haynes. The witness initially identified someone who was in another state at the time of the crime. Haynes was only identified as the killer during a third lineup and in the witness's trial testimony.

The Great North Innocence Project applauded Haynes' release and commended the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for recognizing the strength of his claim. Attorney Andrew Markquart expressed gratitude to the office for prioritizing justice and rectifying past errors.

Eyewitness identification has long been known to carry risks of misidentification, with nearly 28% of cases involving problems in this regard. It is worth noting that Amy Klobuchar, who was the Hennepin County Attorney at the time of Haynes' conviction, is now a U.S. senator for Minnesota.

Mary Moriarty, in her role as the current Hennepin County Attorney, apologized to Haynes for all the missed opportunities and the years he spent unjustly incarcerated. She acknowledged the difficulty of admitting and correcting past mistakes but stressed the importance of doing the right thing.

Overall, the release of Marvin Haynes after nearly 20 years in prison highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system and the significant impact wrongful convictions can have on individuals' lives. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for reform and the importance of ensuring fair and just trials for all.