A Westchester man who was falsely jailed for raping a teenage woman practically 50 years in the past couldn’t assist however hug the choose after she acquitted him of the costs in an emotional listening to. Leonard Mack’s incarceration is thought to be the longest wrongful conviction in U.S. historical past to be overturned by new DNA proof.
He gained his freedom on his 72nd birthday after the Innocence Undertaking introduced new DNA proof resulting in the overturning of his conviction. Mack was accused of raping a teenage woman and making an attempt the identical on one other woman. However, after reviewing the contemporary proof earlier than her, State Supreme Court docket choose Anne E. Minihan overturned the 1976 ruling on Mack’s case on Tuesday.
His authorized workforce relied on proof of superior testing of DNA to safe his freedom. The Westchester District Legal professional’s workplace mentioned the contemporary proof advised the crime was dedicated by a identified intercourse offender, in response to the New York Submit.
Mack, a battle veteran, was positioned on the native authorities’ blacklist when two highschool college students have been compelled to enter the woods in Greenburgh on Might 22, 1975. The intercourse offender first tied the arms of his victims, blindfolded them, and stuffed their mouths earlier than raping the primary one. He once more moved to reap the benefits of the second sexually however shied away. In keeping with the prosecutor’s report, Mack was picked up after the act had been dedicated as a result of they claimed he match the suspect description of a black man with an earring and hat. Despite his robust alibi, the jury discovered him responsible of first-degree rape and prison possession of a weapon within the second diploma.
Mack spent seven-and-a-half years in jail for a criminal offense he didn’t commit. He tirelessly challenged his conviction within the Eighties, regardless of opposition from the Westchester DA’s workplace and courtroom rejections. In November 2022, the Innocence Undertaking contacted the DA’s workplace, resulting in his launch.
He expressed delight, stating that today had been a very long time coming, and the injustice had hung over him for nearly 50 years, affecting his life and relationships. He by no means misplaced hope in his innocence, and now, lastly confirmed harmless, he can breathe freely and is really free eventually, he mentioned.
Choose Minihan, in an emotional and heartfelt second, expressed that it was the dignity of her profession to vacate Mack’s conviction. She acknowledged that he had waited far too lengthy for today and harassed the significance of getting justice proper.
In a touching show of assist, the choose even left her bench to offer Mack a hug through the listening to, as captured in a photograph by the Innocence Undertaking. The courtroom was crammed with emotion, with photos displaying Mack wiping away tears and elevating his hand as he walked out of the federal government constructing, marking the top of an extended and unjust ordeal.
