.jpg) Gerald Harris On December 18, 1991, a couple were approached by three men with guns who robbed them in the driveway of their home in Corona, Queens, New York. A fourth man was waiting in a getaway car.
A month later, police arrested 23-year-old Gerald Harris. a Golden Gloves boxer, after he was seen riding in a car that resembled the getaway car. Both victims identified Harris in a lineup.
In November 1992, a jury convicted Harris of armed robbery based on the testimony of the victims.
Before sentencing, Harris’s brother, Harold, who resembled him, came to court to confess that he was the actual robber, but he did not testify at that time because the district attorney wasn’t present.
As a result, Harold Harris left for South Carolina without making a public confession and subsequently, Harris was sentenced to 9 to 18 years in prison. Meanwhile, Harold Harris was later convicted of drug charges in South Carolina and sentenced to 25 years to life.
Harris’s former boxing trainer was convinced of his innocence and his advocacy led to the reopening of Harris’s case.
Harold Harris eventually did confess to the authorities and one of the other robbers also said that Harris had nothing to do with the crime. Neither Harold Harris or the other robber were charged in the crime because by then, the statute of limitations had expired.
On December 15, 2000, the district attorney supported Harris’s motion to vacate his conviction and then dismissed the charges.
Harris was later awarded $3,010,000 in compensation by the New York Court of Claims.
– Maurice Possley
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