Maurice Hastings: US man spent 38 years in prison, gets freed by new DNA evidence

October 29, 2022 By Awanish Kumar

(Image Credit Google)

New DNA evidence that suggested a different individual was responsible for the murder led to the release of a US man who had been imprisoned for nearly 40 years. For the 1983 murder of Roberta Wydermyer in California as well as two attempted murders, Maurice Hastings was sentenced to more than 38 years in a state prison. New DNA evidence, however, indicated that a different man who passed away in a prison in 2020. After his 1988 conviction was overturned on October 20, Mr. Hastings, who is now 69, was granted his release from prison. George Gascón, the district attorney for LA County, called his conviction a "grave injustice."

"The justice system is not perfect, and when we learn of new evidence which causes us to lose confidence in a conviction, it is our obligation to act swiftly," he added in a statement.

In 1983, Roberta Wydermyer was discovered shot once in the head in the trunk of her automobile. She has already experienced sexual assault. After that, Mr. Hastings was accused of murder, and the death sentence was sought by the prosecution. He was found guilty by a second jury after the first one was deadlocked, and he was given a life term in state prison without the chance of parole in 1988. An oral swab from the victim's autopsy revealed the presence of semen. Although Mr. Hastings had insisted on his innocence from the moment of his arrest, the district attorney turned down a request for DNA testing of the swab in 2000.

Following a court hearing on 20 October to vacate his conviction, Mr Hastings told reporters he wasn't bitter and wanted to enjoy the rest of his life.

"I prayed for many years that this day would come," the Associated Press quoted Mr Hastings as saying. "I am not pointing fingers; I am not standing up here a bitter man, but I just want to enjoy my life now while I have it."

By Awanish Kumar

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