This article was published more than2 years ago. He was exonerated after the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office conceded that lead police Twenty-seven judges had looked at my case by then, explains Hicks. Court records for this case are available from Pennsylvania Eastern District Court. However, the court filings detail the role of Officer Robert Ellis, who testified at trial that he had recovered a .38-caliber Taurus from Hicks right jacket pocket. He had his hand in his pocket because he was going to attempt to call the police when they arrived and shot him in the back. After 19 years in prison, hes been found innocent. The woman had Reached by phone Tuesday, Ellis, a crime-scene-unit officer, declined to comment or to confirm he was under investigation. Pennsylvanias statute of limitations for perjury and other relevant criminal charges bars prosecution after five years. I signed on to start the next year.. The Inquirer reported that Hickss lawyer, Vanessa Potkin, said the gun was covered with blood, but the coat pocket, where Vinson claimed Hicks had been keeping the gun, was clean. Now, under the scrutiny of a new investigation, the case against Hicks has fallen apart. Now a free man, Now, Potkin said, hes focused on returning to society, building on his relationship with his son, now 24, and meeting a 2-year-old grandson for the first time. Then a 26-year-old father of one, Mr. Hicks had been He saw two men running away from a figure on the ground near a dumpster. Deep-seated police misconduct and institutional protections are too often the source of wrongful convictions and injustice in the system. Im excited for younow go live your life manyou deserve a good one. Hicks has a powerful testimony against corruption in policing and the judicial system, but his heart is formed by mercy as much as the call to justice. Philadelphia officials said Wednesday that the city will be paying out $9.8 million in one of the largest wrongful-conviction settlements in the citys history to a Black man who spent 28 years in prison for a murder the district attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit now says it was near impossible that he committed. The tape showed a man in a gray hoodie dragging the victim into the alley. Potkin notes that several other police officers were at the scene as Hicks was shot or shortly thereafter. Only Jesus can do this.you are blessed. Termaine Hicks case marks the 16th exoneration since 2018 attributed to the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office Conviction Integrity Unit. She also extended an apology to the victim, whose name was withheld. Reynolds, a former inmate at Coleman, had hoped to go to trial and help spark prison reform. Both sides said it did not follow that the gun was smeared in blood, while the interior of the pocket it supposedly came from was pristine. WebTermaine Hicks is an exoneree and IP client. Ignatius, Discernment, and You with the Rev. In 2003, the Innocence Project had just 15 attorneys and could not take his case. Vinson testified that he fired because Hicks reached for a gun and lunged at him and his then-partner Zungolo testified he saw Hicks pulling up his pants when police arrived. Hicks recruited other prisoners to act in the production. Potkin said further evidence suggests police planted the gun they said they retrieved from his jacket pocket. Attempting to reach the Supreme Court as a pro se litigant, would have been an exercise in futility so I withdrew my appellate rights. Recent forensic examinations by the chief medical examiner for the City of Philadelphia and an independent medical examiner conclusively prove that the officer shot Mr. Hicks three times in the back with one bullet entering near his spine, one in his buttock, and one in the back of his right arm. (Philadelphia, PA December 17, 2020) Termaine Hicks walked out of Pennsylvania prison SCI Phoenix yesterday. The Best News Ive Heard in All My Li After realizing theyd shot an unarmed man who did not match the description of the attacker, the officers conspired to cover it up. But, seconds later, police officers arrived, took him for the rapist and shot him three times. Hicks served 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Going back to the morning of the crime, the victim was not able to identify her assailant. Step up to it!. I was replacing my beloved EfM predecessor, Dennis Warner, who had died recently of a brain tumor in the prime of his life. According to lawyers, it shows a man in a hoodie dragging the victim into the alley. Thank you for your understanding in this matter. A jury believed the polices version of events over Hickss story. Its not the closure I wanted but its still closure., The 15 women suing said officers had sexually assaulted and abused them for years. On Wednesday, after 19 years incarceration, Hicks, 45, was, at last, exonerated. In his first TV interview since his exoneration, Termaine Hicks speaks out to Lester Holt about his case. Its a joyful day for me and my family, Mr. Hicks said after being released. Termaine Hicks (Photo: Jason E. Miczek for AP/Innocence Project), Support The National Registry of Exonerations , The Contribution of Forensic and Expert Evidence to DNA Exoneration Cases, Race and Wrongful Convictions in the United States, 2022, Government Misconduct and Convicting the Innocent, Witness Recantations: Preliminary Findings, May 2013, Exonerations in the United States: 1989 - 2012, Tell us about an Exoneration that we missed, Other Philadelphia, Pennsylvania exonerations. That video also showed a delivery truck pull into a nearby loading dock, flashing its lights across the alley. Most of the more than 120,000 people who have participated in the four-year theological education program will agree. For far too long the police have willfully lied with impunity; we need accountability, said Vanessa Potkin, director of post-conviction litigation at the Innocence Project, who represented Mr. Hicks. A woman had been pistol-whipped, dragged into an alleyway behind what was then St. Agnes Hospital in South Philadelphia, and raped until the rapist was startled and fled the scene. Settlements for some of the women, some whom are currently still incarcerated there, were higher than the government had initially allocated to pay. Termaine Hicks was released from SCI Phoenix Prison Tuesday, Dec.16, 2020 in Collegeville, Penn. On Wednesday, Termaine Hicks received the the best Ive heard in all my life. After 19 years in prison for a crime he didnt commit, Mr. Hicks was going home. Many will have a tale of transformation to share. Heres what that means. But on December 16, 2020, all the news was good. One of the bullets barely missed my spine, but youre talking to a guy who ran a couple of marathons while he was incarcerated., A post shared by Tyron McClendon (@mrgrinch215). You cant be in this box when it comes to God and religion, he says. Pennsylvanias statute of limitations for perjury and other relevant criminal charges bars prosecution after five years. The cover up of shooting an innocent man required the false testimony of three officers and the acquiescence of a dozen more. How Education for Ministry changed Termaine Hicks life Trinity Episcopal Church Call: 304-263-0994 Address: 200 West King St, Martinsburg, WV Online Digital Services Donate Home About Trinity Worship Parish Life News & Events Contact Us Trinity Episcopal Church > Church > How Education for Ministry changed Termaine Hicks life Hicks came from Maryland, Possibly with former slaveowner, White Brown. After they covered it up, he was wrongly convicted of attacking her. McGrody did not return calls Tuesday. In his 19 years behind bars, Hicks always maintained his innocence. Hicks says Vinson muttered something like, damn, and then began to cry. Is Wakanda Forever too woke for Marvels own good? All Rights Reserved. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the comments below and join us in making this a hate-speech free and safe space for everyone. He was exonerated after the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office conceded that lead police officers lied under oath to cover up shooting Mr. Hickswho was innocent of any crimein the back three times. The agreement announced Wednesday is the latest in a string of seven-figure settlements stemming from claims of misconduct by city police in the late 1980s Three shots rang out, striking Hicks in the arm, chest, back, and buttock. She said Hicks had gone to the victim to render aid. First, they had to show new evidence in order to ask for a new trial. S.T.E.P.U.P. Watsons role in the case was not clear, and he was not called to testify. Termaine Hicks was released from SCI Phoenix Prison Tuesday, Dec.16, 2020 in Collegeville, Penn. And I believe its impossible to say that did not contribute to the conviction.. During that time, in the fall of 2008, Hicks joined the EfM group. The city has settled civil-rights complaints naming Vinson and Ellis as defendants. The officers involved in this case had extensive internal affairs files with numerous allegations of lying, planting evidence, excessive force, and substantiated complaints filed by civilians. December can be a busy month for exonerations, as prosecutors and defense attorneys try to wrap up cases before the end of the year. Dennis Zungolo have been placed on restricted duty and the identity of the third officer has not been released. But there was no gray hoodie among Hickss clothes that were turned over to police after he was treated for gunshot wounds in the hospital. But the surveillance footage was not provided to Hicks or his lawyers until after his trial had concluded. (Philadelphia, PA December 17, 2020) Termaine Hicks walked out of Pennsylvania prison SCI Phoenix yesterday. I am quite cognizant of the pain and the trauma of the victim, and then more pain in realizing that the wrong person was convicted, Brandeis-Roman said. The women feared that if they came forward theyd be sent to another federal facility far from their families, interrupting the education and work programs they had at Coleman, which is the largest federal prison in the U.S. Settlements were approved by the Attorney Generals office on Monday. False testimony was used, and I believe its impossible to say that did not contribute to the conviction.. Philadelphia officials said Wednesday that the city will be paying out $9.8 million in one of the largest wrongful-conviction settlements in the citys history to a Black man who spent 28 years in prison for a murder the district attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit now says it was near impossible that he committed. Realizing Mr. Hicks did not match the description of the attacker provided by a neighbor to 911 and that he was unarmed, the officers embarked on a cover-up, which included: Based on the officers testimony, Mr. Hicks was convicted of rape, aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime, and terroristic threats. At one point, Mr. Hicks was considered for parole, but was ultimately denied because he refused to admit guilt, and continued to maintain his innocence. The latest Tweets from Termaine Hicks (@TermaineHicks). Lettman-Hicks filed to run for the District 8 seat on June 1, just days before a federal grand jury indicted on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. As one of the men said, referencing the work of famed public interest lawyer and equal justice activist Bryan Stevenson, Would you want to be known for the worst thing you ever did, for the rest of your life?. The Philadelphia police did not immediately return a request for comment on the case, but Anthony Erace, the executive director of the Police Advisory Commission, told the Inquirer he would seek a review of the investigation. False testimony was used, said Patricia Cummings, chief of the Conviction Integrity Unit, the Inquirer reported. And he was unarmed. after a wrongful incarceration for 19 years. A Maryland Dumping Site Was Actually A Black Cemetery. The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office recently concluded much of the testimony against Hicks was false.Dec. I dont know how you feel about having a white woman. One of the inmates replied, Miss Ginny, everybody needs a mama! For the first couple of years, she was known as Mama Ginny. We dont ask the men what theyre in for, Slichter says. According to her filings, the process of constructing a cover-up began immediately. Visitors walked directly through the general population to the other end of the prison where the chapel was, where the classes are held. Hicks case is yet another example of systemic police abuse that is pervasive in the criminal legal system and persists because of institutional protections and a lack of accountability, said Vanessa Potkin, director of post-conviction litigation at the Innocence Project, who represented Mr. Hicks. Mr. That matched other witness statements that the attacker wore a gray hoodie, while Hicks coat had no hood. information about the Registry, Assault, Other Violent Felony, Gun Possession or Sale, Perjury or False Accusation, Official Misconduct, Inadequate Legal Defense. For the most accurate data, please search on the Detailed View page. Now theyve reached a settlement, Pinellas lawyer arrested after stealing more than $840,000 from clients, deputies say, Christopher Sabella elected as Hillsborough Countys next chief judge, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for 2 Tampa murders, How about spending more on preventing crime? Hicks was convicted of rape and weapons offenses, with 20 officers testifying against him. Press "Enter" or click on the arrow to show results. She couldnt clearly see her attacker in the dark, and she suffered a head injury. 21, 2020. The gun that was entered into evidence was registered to a Philadelphia police officer. Report an error or add more information about this case. Then, he said he shot Hicks in the chest or stomach. Website by MADEO. Hicks was not eligible for parole because he maintained his innocence and would not express remorse for a crime he did not commit. The conviction was vacated, and the charge dismissed. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department had not provided a comment as of Wednesday afternoon. The gun police said they found on Hicks was registered to another Philadelphia police officer, who had not reported it stolen or missing, according to court records. Mr. Hicks, an Innocence Project client, was wrongly convicted of a rape that took place in Philadelphia in 2001. READ MORE: Police shot a Philly man, then accused him of rape. They have told me that the trauma of a retrial would be unbearable, she said. The world now knows what Hicks did and did not do. Even the most seasoned attorney does not likely get the opportunity to go before them, says Hicks, who was by this time arguing his own case pro se. He said he felt the amount given to his clients was fair. Please enable scripts and reload this page. She began taking medication to try to help. TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA A federal grand jury has returned a twenty-one count indictment against Andrew Demetric Gillum, 42, and Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, 53, both of Tallahassee, Florida. The indictment was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Hicks served 19 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Four reasons a credit-card balance transfer may be a bad idea, Dont let paying for a funeral add to your grief, Beware of these pitfalls when planning your own funeral, Sheryl Lee Ralph on her historic Super Bowl act: Its just really neat, Man who died after police used Taser had warned of heart issue, video shows, Memphis officer texted a photo of bloodied Tyre Nichols, records show, Harris, in funeral address, says Tyre Nichols should have been safe. The man they had just shot did not match the description of the attacker provided by a witness, who saw the assailant dragging the victim into an alley. She noted that the gun was smeared with blood, while the inside of Hicks coat pocket was clean. All three shots struck Hicks from behind, yet Vinson said he was forced to fire because Hicks was lunging at him. It appears that for years and even decades the Philadelphia criminal justice system has shown a pattern of locking up Black men for crimes they didnt commit based on the work of corrupt police officers and conviction-happy courts that never really consider that a Black defendant might be getting railroaded despite a glaring lack of evidence to support their guilt. Why dont they? This decision comes after an investigation by the Innocence Project and the District Attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit who raised concerns about whether the officers fabricated evidence, planted a gun, and arrested Hicks under false pretenses, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The timing was uncanny. I liked how it was staggered, year one through four, he says. Determined to make my dreams come true Though EfM groups commonly gather in parish buildings, some convene in prisons. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, The officers involved in this case had extensive internal affairs files with numerous allegations of lying, planting evidence, excessive force, and substantiated complaints filed by civilians. The Innocence Project, which is affiliated with the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, took on Mr. Hicks case in 2011. The Innocence Project is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. WebTermaine Hicks was exonerated on December 16, 2020 after 19 years of wrongful incarceration. Philadelphia police shot a man and accused him of rape. The Innocence Project is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. During that time, Hicks worked his way through the local trial court, the appellate, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, until he only had one option remaining: the U.S. Supreme Court. Police arriving at the scene completely misread the situation, erroneously assuming Mr. Hicks was the assailant, and shot him three times in the back. William Campbell, S.J. TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA A federal grand jury has returned a twenty-one count indictment against Andrew Demetric Gillum, 42, and Sharon Janet Lettman-Hicks, California residents do not sell my data request. My heart was filled with sorrow reading your story but as I saw your smile in the video, my tears of sorrow became tears of joy. Both a forensic analysis of Hicks medical records and a review of his clothing with bullet holes in the back, but none in the front supported Hicks account, according to the citys chief medical examiner. I could have just disappeared, but I want to be on the front lines. us about an exoneration that we may have missed, Correct an error or add information about an exoneration It was dark, and she suffered a head trauma during the assault. Hicks was released from a state prison outside Philadelphia on Wednesday. His brothers Tone Hicks and Tyron McClendon greeted him upon release. A Pennsylvania court has vacated the rape conviction of Termaine Joseph Hicks, freeing him from prison after almost 19 years. Then they began to let us out againbut only for 15 minutes a day. The new analysis outlined a case in which ample physical evidence available 19 years ago ought to have been enough to clear Hicks, who was known in court records as Jermaine Weeks. Police Officer Martin Vinson said he shot Hicks in the chest or stomach as Hicks was pulling a gun from his pocket and lunging toward him. Nightly Films Termaine Hicks speaks out after 19 years in prison for a crime he didnt commit (Part 1) In his first TV interview since his exoneration, Termaine Hicks It was ready to take his case. Earlier this month, The Root reported that another Black man, 45-year-old Termaine Hicks was exonerated of rape after spending 19 years in a Philadelphia prison. His attorney Amelia Green said the evidence supporting Hollmans innocence which garnered media attention first in the form of a 2017 report in The Inquirer and, in April, an episode of the Netflix series The Innocence Files put pressure on city officials to resolve the case swiftly, though neither they nor police admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement deal. As he was sentenced, Hicks told the judge: an innocent man cant sit in jail for long. Hicks He was exonerated after 19 years. Dennis Zungolo, who testified he saw Hicks pulling up his pants when police arrived, were both placed on restricted duty, the spokesperson confirmed. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. The Registry provides detailed information about every known exoneration in the United States since 1989cases in which a person was wrongly convicted of a crime and later cleared of all the charges based on new evidence of innocence. WebSettlement Agreement. The men what theyre in for, Slichter says, whose name was withheld Benjamin Cardozo. Please avoid sharing any personal information in the four-year theological education program will agree this hate-speech! Only for 15 minutes a day given to his clients was fair scene! Express remorse for a crime he did not commit the woman had Reached by phone Tuesday, Dec.16, in... Press `` Enter '' or click on the server her filings, the Innocence Project is affiliated Benjamin. 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