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Willie Veasy has been in prison since 1992 and everyday since, he has declared he was innocent and has nothing to do with a North Philadelphia robbery and double shooting that resulted in the death of John Lewis.
In fact, at trial, Veasy's attorney submitted evidence that he was working as a dishwasher miles away from the murder scene. But a jury convicted Veasy after four days of deliberation based on the testimony of a single witness and a confession, prosecutors later learned, that had been coerced by homicide detectives.
"The Commonwealth agrees that he is likely innocent and the confession is likely not reliable," said Patricia Cummings, supervisor of the Conviction Integrity Unit for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.
On Tuesday her office filed documents asking Common Pleas Court Judge Leon Tucker to vacate Veasy's conviction and order a new trial.
"If that is done, we will follow that with a request that the case be nolle prossed so Mr. Veasy will be set free," said Cummings.
The Commonwealth filed documents saying upon investigation, they learned that retired homicide detectives Marty Devlin and Paul Worrell coerced Veasy into signing a handwritten confession.
According to prosecutors, facts in the confession were inconsistent with other accounts of the crime. The documents state that, at the time of the trial, the detectives had engaged in coercive tactics in at least two other homicide cases and that information was not provided to defense counsel.
Notably, rouge detectives were involved in other cases of exonerated men, including the case of Anthony Wright and Jimmy Dennis. Judge Tucker told the parties he needed time to review the materials, which he received minutes before the hearing began. He scheduled a new hearing for Oct. 9th.
"I was expecting him to walk out today, but I understand the judge had to make a decision," said Ketra Veasy, Willie's sister. She sat in the courtroom wearing white alongside family and supporters.
She waved hello to her brother, feeling his pain when he was sent back to prison.
"We are going to show up and wear all white to send a message, a positive message, to let the judge know that we support his innocence," said Dennis.
Veasy's former employer, Seth Schram, was also in attendance.
"He was at work with me when he was accused of this crime," he said. "We have waited 27 years for (him to get his freedom). Hopefully it will come to fruition."
It could lead to others gaining their freedom as well.
According to the DA's filings, the Conviction Integrity Unit is reviewing a number of case files related to detectives Worrell and Devlin.
Veasy is represented by the Innocence Project of Pennsylvania.