But that defendant was acquitted at a re-trial when the defense presented evidence that Officer Ellis planted ballistics and falsely attributed guns to the accused that he did not in fact possess.. Joseph Tremaine Hicks, his lawyer said, is going to be returned to something that he should have had when police encountered him the presumption of innocence.. All Rights Reserved. Rev. The training also emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. If seated, a Cherokee delegate could make a big difference in Congress, How the racial makeup of where you live has changed since 1990, Subscribe to About US to read the latest on race and identity, Examining systemic racism through the lens of his life, Understanding racism and inequality in America. EfM gave me the skills, and this is my gift back to the world. The officers falsely testified at trial that Mr. Hicks had lunged at them while armed with a gun that he pulled from his pocket. Press "Enter" or click on the arrow to show results. Vinson and Zungolo remain employed by the department. Deep-seated police misconduct and institutional protections are too often the source of wrongful convictions and injustice in the system. Baden testified that all shots were fired from behind Hicks, so he could not have been lunging at the officer who pulled the trigger. As he was reaching for his cellphone to dial 911, the police suddenly arrived, shot him in the back and charged him unjustly. Inmates were sick, some were dying. 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. They shot him three times in the back. After realizing theyd shot an unarmed man who did not match the description of the attacker, the officers conspired to cover it up. Help us advocate for the innocent by sharing the latest news from the Innocence Project. It was brutal for the guys in the penitentiary. The latest Tweets from Termaine Hicks (@TermaineHicks). Now a free man, Three of the women received $1.26 million between them, said their lawyer, James DeMiles. Pennsylvania is one of 15 states that does not compensate exonerees. Hicks was convicted of rape and weapons offenses, with 20 officers testifying against him. He said he felt the amount given to his clients was fair. Hicks says, In the judicial system, theres something called finality that is very hard to overcome.. But on December 16, 2020, all the news was good. Termaine Hicks was convicted on rape and other charges, largely on the testimony of police officers. Hicks had been exonerated. He purchased land and other AA's settled near him. 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 Wednesday, the Inquirer reported. One witness was threatened with arrest and the other was promised help on his own pending criminal case in exchange for falsely implicating Hollman. He wrote 12 plays and musicals while in prison and, now that hes free, he hopes to eventually produce and direct plays. The other guys on the [cell] block were shouting. Falsely claiming under oath that they recovered a gun from Mr. Hicks right jacket pocket, which they asserted he placed back in his pocket after he was shot. In addition to the Innocence Project, Mr. Hicks is represented by local counsel Susan Lin of Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg & Lin LLP. The gun was also registered to an active-duty police officer who had not reported it missing. It was a chance for me to try to find out how God operates with us. Police arriving at the scene completely misread the situation, erroneously assuming Mr. Hicks was the assailant, and shot him three times in the back. Hicks recruited other prisoners to act in the production. Hicks is the 16th person exonerated by the Conviction Integrity Unit since District Attorney Larry Krasner took office in 2018, and the first to be cleared of a rape. Hicks fought for years to get the forensic evidence in his case reviewed. But, he added: Its unfortunate and sad that it took how long it took for me to clear my name. I could have just disappeared, but I want to be on the front lines. into a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to produce and promote the videos, which are now being requested in schools around the nation. WebAfter doing time in prison for a crime he did not commit, Termaine Hicks wrote Step Up, a series of educational videos to teach conflict resolution and critical thinking, to help combat Philadelphias gun violence crisis. Both Gillum and Lettman-Hicks were indicted as part of the FBI's long-running investigation into public corruption in Tallahassee. The investigation already netted convictions and federal prison time for former Mayor and City Commissioner Scott Maddox, his longtime aide Paige Carter-Smith and wealthy entrepreneur John "J.T." Burnette. His attorneys celebrated the exoneration Wednesday, noting that Hicks, who was the father of a 5-year-old boy when he was incarcerated, would be able to meet his 2-year-old grandson for the first time. Surveillance tape from that night could reconcile her account with 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. Then a 26-year-old father of one, Mr. Hicks had been walking home when he heard a woman screaming. In 2001, a police officer shot the 26-year-old Popeyes manager, later telling a court that Hicks There were moments, but I did not give up, he said. This article was published more than2 years ago. Gutirrez, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, and other visitors from outside the prison to the performance. As the case slowly made its way through the courts, she said she couldnt sleep through the night. Immediately, Hicks appealed. They lied under oath to cover up for shooting an innocent man three times in the back, Innocence Project lawyer Vanessa Potkin said. One of the bullets that entered the back of his arm lodged in his chest, collapsing a lung and requiring emergency surgery. Police shot a Philly man, then accused him of rape. You can learn more about how we consider cases here. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, By Associated Press - 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. I was writing Christian plays, engaged in independent study, and searching Scripture. WebTermaine Hicks is an exoneree and IP client. In 2001, Mr. Hicks came to the aid of a woman screaming in an alley. Hicks didnt want his grandson to see him in prison. Medical records and damage to the clothes Hicks was wearing that night showed he had actually been shot in the back, contrary to what police claimed, the Inquirer reported. | Editorial, Tampa man who was first to face trial for Florida voter fraud in 2020 election gets probation, St. Pete womans dream home turns into a nightmare after she finds code violation, DeSantis, GOP lawmakers pursue efforts to weaken news media protections, Florida man paralyzed by officer who mistook gun for Taser sues, Explosive found on Florida-bound Allegiant flight, man arrested, States move to crack down on nurses with bogus diplomas from Florida schools, correctional officers at a federal prison in Florida repeatedly sexually abused them, Florida teen charged as adult in rigged homecoming election. Hicks calls the Innocence Project team relentless, God-sent, true advocates. Still, it would take nearly another decade to set Hicks free. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Churchwide Global Mission Conference: Journey Into Healing, Finding Home in God with Yale Professor Miroslav Volf 3-Part Online Series. 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. Why dont they? When you look more broadly at the other officers involved in this case, there is a larger pattern of official misconduct, Potkin said. If he needs access to an editor, publisher, or manager. Thank you for visiting us. Shop sales in every category.Uh-oh, overstock: Wayfair put their surplus on sale for up to 50% off. 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. 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. The trial judge retired and was replaced by another judge, which really set the ball in motion, explains Hicks. Its not the closure I wanted but its still closure., The 15 women suing said officers had sexually assaulted and abused them for years. 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. 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. He was arraigned while handcuffed to a hospital bed. Pennsylvanias statute of limitations for perjury and other relevant criminal charges bars prosecution after five years. When you have a circumstance where at a minimum misconduct is discovered, and at a maximum potential criminal behavior is possible, its got to be examined.. He saw two men running away from a figure on the ground near a dumpster. Had these records been publicly available, Mr. Hicks may not have had to endure so many years of injustice or been wrongly convicted at all, she said. 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. I found what was already there. He created an organization called S.T.E.P.U.P., an acronym for Selfless Thinking Expresses Potential that Uplifts People, and began writing educational scripts that were later turned into films. Theres plenty of us who would give him help. California residents do not sell my data request. An officerwho along with his complicit partner is still currently on the forcefirst shot Hicks three times while he was pulling out a cell phone to call for help for the rape victim. Reynolds, a former inmate at Coleman, had hoped to go to trial and help spark prison reform. 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. Only after did they realize their mistake Mr. Hicks was not the right person. According to her filings, the process of constructing a cover-up began immediately. Attacker, the bishop of the women received $ 1.26 million between them, said their,. Spark prison reform my gift back to the aid of a woman screaming advocate the. 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