NEW YORK — For over a decade and a half, prosecutors in a suburban New York district maintained they had convicted the correct individual for a high-profile double homicide that occurred in 1996. The suspect, Selwyn Days, faced five trial attempts, each concluding with either hung juries or overturned verdicts, before being acquitted and released in 2017.
On Monday, Mimi Rocah, the current District Attorney of Westchester County, announced that a reopened inquiry has uncovered two other potential suspects, indicating that there is “no connection” to Days regarding the murders of 79-year-old Archie Harris and 35-year-old home health aide Betty Ramcharan.
This declaration marks the first instance in which the DA’s office has openly acknowledged that someone other than Days may carry the blame for the tragic events. Previously, following Days’ acquittal, prosecutors had expressed their disappointment with the jury’s decision.
Days’ attorney, Glenn Garber, emphasized the importance of clearing his client’s name, stating, “He is truly innocent, and it’s vital to put this case to rest completely,” and he highlighted the public’s right to a fair resolution in this serious matter.
Since taking office in 2021, Rocah has not been involved with the prosecutorial efforts concerning Days. She refrained from focusing on the identities of the two individuals believed to be “involved” in the killings, noting that the investigation remains active.
Her office reported that recent developments require further work before any concrete future actions are taken. However, Rocah’s time is limited as she prepares to leave her role this week after opting not to seek reelection.
“I hope these significant advancements can lead to a continuing investigation and bring justice for the families of Mr. Harris and Ms. Ramcharan,” Rocah remarked in her statement.
Incoming District Attorney Susan Cacace, who is also a Democrat, has vowed to “continue reviewing cases similar to this double homicide.” Garber expressed optimism that the new DA’s office will pursue and hold accountable those truly responsible for the murders.
Harris was a recently widowed millionaire known in his neighborhood for allegedly boasting about having large sums of cash at his residence in Eastchester. He was also familiar to law enforcement due to prior complaints from his caregivers. At the time of his death, he was facing accusations of forcing Days’ mother, who worked for him, into a non-consensual act and threatening another aide with a firearm.
Despite these allegations, Harris had intended to leave nearly all of his estate to Ramcharan instead of his three children; however, her portion passed to his family because both died on November 21, 1996.
Authorities did not charge Days until five years later. His confession to the police was recorded on video but later disputed by his legal team as being false and coerced. “I didn’t commit this crime. I don’t know who did… I don’t know anything about it,” Days asserted in a 2004 court appearance.
Days faced hung juries during his first and third trials, while his second and fourth trials led to murder convictions, resulting in two 50-year prison sentences; both judgments were eventually overturned. By the time his fifth trial concluded with an acquittal, he had spent 16 years incarcerated.
Rocah established a Conviction Review Unit in 2021 to investigate claims of wrongful convictions, which turned its attention to the case of Harris and Ramcharan the following year.
Currently, no contact information has been obtained for the relatives of Ramcharan and Harris.
