Two men who were wrongfully convicted in a murder that happened more than 20 years ago were exonerated in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian reported that the exonerees weren’t resentful, despite spending a large part of their lives in prison. There was a lot of new evidence in the case, including recordings and a witness who recanted their statement.
Jofama Coleman was 20 years old and Abel Soto was 15 years old when they were arrested, charged, and convicted of the 2003 murder of Jose Robles. In separate trials, their attorney, Ellen Eggers, proved their innocence.
Eggers said she had to pull it together, she got emotional and hugged her clients, Coleman and Soto. Eggers called them heroes.
Coleman has a 19-year-old daughter, who he joked about treating like she was two.
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“So honestly for a long time, I actually had a lot of resentment towards the people who testified against me falsely,” he said. “It wasn't until one of these individuals grew up and developed a conscience or whatever it may be and actually told the truth, and for some reason, like all the resentment I had towards these individuals, it was just lifted because his recantation gave me real hope.”
Coleman wants to become an attorney and help other people who have been wrongfully convicted.
The shooter in the 2003 murder case hasn’t been identified, but District Attorney George Gascón said they believe they’re getting closer to finding them. These are the DA’s Office’s ninth and 10th exonerations.
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