Jon-Adrian Velazquez's second-degree murder conviction overturned by a Manhattan judge

October 1, 2024

New York Times

We are elated that early this week, Jon-Adrian Velazquez, his family and friends finally heard the declaration that he was exonerated for a 1998 crime he did not commit. While we commend DA Bragg for consenting to JJ’s exoneration, the reality is that it came 27 years too late. It is a cop-out to conclude that the “system” worked. It didn’t. Before DA Bragg was elected, all the tools and processes to correct a wrongful conviction were in place in 1998 when JJ was arrested, in 2011 when we filed a petition to then District Attorney, Cyrus Vance, requesting an objective review of JJ’s case, and in 2013 and again in 2017 when we filed two formal motions in court to vacate the conviction because of overwhelming proof of innocence. The “system” didn’t fail Jon-Adrian Velazquez-the blame rests squarely on the previous District Attorney and his senior staff before Mr. Bragg assumed office, and the court that denied two motions to vacate the conviction. While a jury can mistakenly convict an innocent man, there is no excuse for those entrusted with ensuring justice then turning a blind eye toward overwhelming evidence of innocence. JJ spent an additional 13 years behind bars despite the DA and court being presented with the overwhelming evidence that the wrong man was convicted of murder. Who will give JJ, his mother and children the decades that they spent apart except for the weekly visit in a prison? How is it that not a word of apology for what was done to Mr. Velazquez in the name of the People of the State of New York was heard at yesterday’s court proceeding? Today, after yesterday’s celebration, hugs and congratulations, we all must commit ourselves to fighting to ensure that justice is more than a concept etched in marble stone on a courthouse wall. Justice comes alive only if placed in the hands of courageous men and women who are granted the power to do good.