In an uncommon legal proceeding in Philadelphia, three retired detectives, ages ranging from 75 to 80, are facing trial over accusations of perjury related to an exoneration case. This case scrutinizes whether law enforcement officials should be held accountable for alleged misconduct during investigations that lead to wrongful convictions.
The former detectives had agreed to testify during a 2016 retrial of a 1991 homicide case involving a 77-year-old woman, restarting the five-year timeline for filing perjury charges. Defense attorney Brian McMonagle emphasized to the jury that these detectives chose to return for the sake of the victim, Louise Talley.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, known for his efforts in holding police accountable, charged detectives Martin Devlin, Manuel Santiago, and Frank Jastrzembski in 2021 just as the statute of limitations was nearing expiration. Talley, a widow, fell victim to rape and fatal stabbing during the crack cocaine epidemic of the early 1990s.
A neighbor, Anthony Wright, was wrongfully imprisoned for two decades until DNA evidence exonerated him. Although his previous conviction was overturned, he faced a retrial under Krasner’s predecessor. The persistence of Wright’s conviction puzzled experts like Maurice Possley from The National Registry of Exonerations.
The contested evidence was Wright’s confession, allegedly coerced, which the police refuted. During the 2016 retrial, Devlin struggled to reproduce the nine-page confession, leading to Wright’s swift acquittal. Now 53, Wright recounted his painful incarceration, describing signing the confession while pleading for his mother.
Cross-examination anticipated the following day, Wright denied knowing supposed accomplices linked to the crime scene. After his acquittal, Wright obtained a nearly $10 million settlement and received representation from Peter Neufeld of the Innocence Project.
Krasner, focused on police reform, has overseen approximately 50 exonerations since taking office in 2018. The detectives were charged just before the statute of limitations expired.
However, the defense contends that Krasner’s office treated the detectives unfairly. Yet, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has so far dismissed requests to intervene. The charges include lying about evidence and confession details, with the detectives pleading not guilty. Convictions could lead to up to seven years of imprisonment.
Defense attorney McMonagle recounted for the jury the early 1990s crime-riddled backdrop and Talley’s devotion to her community, leaving only a few possessions behind. Public cooperation identified Wright due to their regard for Talley.
The trial is set to continue throughout the week, shedding light on long-standing issues of justice and accountability in law enforcement.