"Today, the courts have affirmed what Bryan Hooper, his family, his loved ones, and his advocates have always known: Mr Hooper is an innocent man, Hennepin county attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. It is our duty as prosecutors to hold the correct individuals responsible for their actions, and that duty demands that we acknowledge our mistakes and make things right as quickly as we can."
"State district court judge Marta Chou had vacated Bryan Hooper Sr's first-degree murder conviction the day before. He was released on Thursday morning from Stillwater correctional facility, a Great North Innocence Project spokesperson said. Hooper reunited with his children and planned to enjoy a meal with them and spend time with family, Project spokesperson Hayley Poxleitner said. He also plans to make his home for now in the Twin Cities area, where his children live."
"His conviction hinged largely on testimony from a woman who authorities say has since confessed to the crime. Police found Prazniak's body in April 1998 in a cardboard box wrapped with Christmas lights in a closet in her Minneapolis apartment. Her cause of death was ruled asphyxiation, and she died two weeks to a month before police found her body, according to court documents."
A state judge vacated Bryan Hooper Sr.'s first-degree murder conviction the day before his release. He was released from Stillwater Correctional Facility after nearly three decades in prison. A 1998 jury convicted Hooper of premeditated murder and related felony charges in connection with the death of Ann Prazniak. The conviction hinged largely on testimony from a woman who has since confessed. Police found Prazniak's body in April 1998 inside a cardboard box wrapped with Christmas lights in a closet; her cause of death was ruled asphyxiation. Hooper had received three life sentences with release possible after 30 years. The Hennepin County attorney's office supported his release. Hooper reunited with his children.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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