Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office will support the Attorney General's Office in their effort to toss out a 2009 South Minneapolis murder conviction.
Edgar Barrientos-Quintana was convicted of first degree murder in the death of 18-year old Jesse Michaelson during a drive-by shooting, and has spent over 15 years in prison.
Moriarty says among other prominent issues with the case, no physical evidence tied the suspect to the crime.
"No DNA, no gun tying mister Barrientos-Quintana to the crime," says Moriarty.
This decision comes after an extensive conviction review from the Attorney General's office. Barrientos Quintana was originally sentenced to life without parole.
15 years later, Moriarty believes he's innocent.
"Prosecutors from this office and investigators from the Minneapolis Police Department ignored the obvious evidence before them, and failed to follow known best practices to convict the man they convinced themselves was responsible for the murder," Moriarty claims. "A man who was innocent."
The judge in the case will now decide whether to set aside the verdict. If the court vacates Barrientos-Quintana's conviction, Hennepin County will dismiss the charges.