Featured Image Credit: Credit: Northern California Innocence Project
Topics: US News
Cameron Frew
A California man has been exonerated after spending more than 30 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit.
Joaquin Ciria, 61, was arrested in 1990, accused of the fatal shooting of Felix Bastarrica in San Francisco’s SoMa District.
His charge was based on false witness testimony and police misconduct, according to San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
After more than three decades, his case has been dismissed and his conviction overturned.
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Bastarrica was murdered by a mutual acquaintance, but Ciria found himself charged with the murder after rumours began spreading that he was the culprit.
According to the Northern California Innocence Project (NCIP), police coerced another man into naming Ciria as the shooter without any evidence, under the threat that he'd be charged with the murder if he didn't comply.
Ciria was later sentenced to 31 years to life in prison, but had always maintained his innocence.
In 2020, Boudin set up the District Attorney’s Innocence Commission to review possible wrongful convictions. An 18-month investigation into Ciria's case uncovered new evidence, witnesses and a 'cascade of errors', including the coercion of the key witness.
Lara Bazelon, chair of the commission, said during a press conference (as per NBC News): "There was no DNA, no fingerprints, no murder weapon was ever recovered... had a jury heard this case today there would not have been a conviction.
"Thirty-two years ago, you were taken away from your wife and your baby, and that is because the system failed you catastrophically... now at long last, you have a chance to take back your life."
After the ruling, Boudin said: "Mr. Ciria has been in prison for more than 30 years for a crime he did not commit. Today we celebrate long overdue justice, but we cannot stop working to undo other wrongful convictions."
Speaking to KPIX 5 from San Francisco County Jail, Ciria said: "It was unbelievable. You could not describe that feeling.
"You know for me to describe that feeling to you... it is no words. It is like you’re born again. You know like your whole life is starting again."
Ciria's mother Yojana Paiz said the whole ordeal was 'painful', but she accepted the commission's apology. "We’re at the end now. He’s gonna be out. Whatever God has for us, we have to accept it," she said.
Ciria will be held in the jail until his paperwork is processed, with his attorneys anticipating his release in the coming days.
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