Wrongly convicted man released from prison after 38 years thanks to DNA test
DNA tests revealed that a man who spent nearly four decades in prison for a murder he did not commit was freed on Friday in the state of California.
Maurice Hastings, 69, was wrongfully convicted of the 1983 kidnapping and murder of 30-year-old Roberta Wydermyer in the city of Inglewood and his conviction for the murder was overturned by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. Newly tested DNA evidence cleared conviction of Hastings of and identified a different person as the murderer.
Freedom after 38 years, Maurice Hastings freed by DNA test
The district attorney’s office stated the actual murderer died in 2020 as serving a sentence for a separate kidnapping and rape crimes. “What has happened to Mr. Hastings is a terrible injustice,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in his statement. “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.
Attorney Gascon expressed his regret to Hastings regarding the lack of DNA evidence to prevent his conviction in the past. “The system failed you,'' he stated. “The system failed the victims.'' and he added, “You are a free man today because of your perseverance.''
Hastings, imprisoned for 38 years in vain, is now free thanks to the DNA test. However, the lost years from his youth will not come back. Hastings thanked to all who prayed for and believed in him while he was convicted, in addition to his mother, who passed away in June before she could see him exculpated.
