A man who spent nearly 20 years imprisoned for a robbery he did not commit has been exonerated and released from a Brooklyn courthouse on Monday, following the discovery of new evidence that substantiated his claims of innocence. Kenneth Windley, 61, left the courthouse with a sense of relief, stating, “It cost me 20 years, but they said they corrected it now. So that’s all that matters. So I’m good with that.”
### Case Dismissed
The exoneration came after both the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and Windley’s legal team requested the judge to vacate his conviction. Prosecutors acknowledged that new confessions from two men imprisoned for similar crimes supported Windley’s long-held assertions of innocence. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez remarked, “This case is really a cautionary tale of how things can seem one way but, without careful analysis, not be what it purports to be.” He further noted that had this new evidence been available earlier, Windley’s conviction would likely never have occurred.
Windley’s conviction stemmed from an incident in 2005 when he purchased a stove with a money order that was ultimately found to be stolen. The money order had been taken from Gerald Ross, a 70-year-old man who was attacked by two thieves as he returned home from a bank. Ross reported being put in a chokehold and having his wallet stolen, which included cash, money orders, and a bank book.
### The Evidence Against Windley
Windley was arrested after authorities traced the stolen money order back to him, as he provided his identification and home address when purchasing the stove. He maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, asserting that he had bought the money order from acquaintances under the pretense that it was valid for bureaucratic reasons.
Initially, Ross identified Windley in a lineup, leading to a jury conviction in 2007 for robbery. Due to Windley’s prior felony convictions, he was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Subsequent appeals to overturn the conviction were unsuccessful until new evidence emerged, prompting a reevaluation of the case.
Before his conviction, Windley had shared information about the men who sold him the money order, which included their nicknames and hints about their real names. After being incarcerated, Windley, with the assistance of friends and private investigators, managed to gather sufficient details to encourage these men to come forward.
### New Developments and Admissions
The two men, referred to as “Suspect 1” and “Suspect 2” by the District Attorney’s office, have since provided sworn statements asserting that they were responsible for the robbery and that Windley was not involved. Both individuals are currently serving time for other robbery convictions that targeted older male victims, often following them from banks.
The report compiled by the D.A.’s office stated that if the jury had access to this new evidence, including the identities and criminal backgrounds of the two men, it likely would have fostered reasonable doubt regarding the charges against Windley.
Importantly, no new criminal charges will be pursued in relation to the robbery, as the legal timeframe for prosecuting the case has expired. Tragically, Gerald Ross has also passed away, further complicating any potential proceedings surrounding the original crime.
### Moving Forward
As Windley left the courthouse on Monday, he planned to celebrate his newfound freedom with family but voiced no bitterness towards the years he lost. “I’m just going to move on from there,” he stated, emphasizing a focus on the future rather than dwelling on his past injustices.
This case underscores not only the potential for miscarriages of justice within the legal system but also the importance of ongoing review mechanisms to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office has committed to examining cases thoroughly to ensure that justice prevails, taking the lessons learned from Windley’s situation into consideration.
Kenneth Windley’s journey from wrongful conviction to exoneration serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of the criminal justice system, where the truth can sometimes remain obscured for years before it is finally uncovered.
Source: Original Reporting
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