Outrage Erupts as Innocent Man Exonerated After 17 Years in Prison

Andy Malkinson, 58, was finally exonerated after spending 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. His wrongful conviction for rape and attempted murder in 2004 has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.

Malkinson was arrested in 2003 for a brutal attack in Salford, Greater Manchester. Despite a lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime, he was convicted in 2004 and sentenced to life imprisonment. The victim had wrongly identified him in a police line-up, and two unreliable witnesses testified against him.

The integrity of the witnesses was never questioned during the trial. One of them was a heroin addict with a history of dishonesty. Additionally, Malkinson's DNA did not match the samples found at the crime scene. In 2007, DNA evidence from the victim's vest top matched a different suspect, but Malkinson's application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission was denied.

In 2016, it was revealed that police had destroyed vital evidence, including the victim's clothing. Malkinson was released on licence in 2020 after the parole board deemed him safe. His conviction was finally quashed at the Court of Appeal in July 2021.

Why this matters: Wrongful convictions have severe consequences for individuals and undermine trust in the criminal justice system. If left unchecked, they can lead to further miscarriages of justice and erosion of public confidence in institutions.

Malkinson's wrongful imprisonment has had a profound impact on his life. He suffers from panic attacks, flashbacks, and nightmares. Despite proving his innocence, he has yet to receive compensation. His sister, Sarah, who initially doubted his innocence, now feels guilty for her reaction. Throughout his ordeal, Malkinson received unwavering support from his mother, Trish, and former girlfriend, Karin.

Reflecting on his experience, Malkinson said, "I wanted to prove my innocence, and I've done that, but I've lost 20 years of my life, and no apologies or platitudes about lessons learned can ever make up for what they did to me." He added, "The damage is done. The pain doesn't go away. I'm an ordinary citizen. And ordinary people should be aware you can be taken. It can happen to anybody. And once they've got you, they don't want to let you go."

Malkinson's case is not an isolated incident. Darien Harris, another man, convicted of a fatal South Side shooting in Chicago in 2011, was wrongly imprisoned for 12 years. Harris was convicted based on the testimony of a legally blind witness, but he was exonerated in December 2023 when a judge vacated his convictions and prosecutors dropped all charges.

Harris, who was 18 years old at the time of his arrest, is now suing the city of Chicago and several police officers. He alleges that they framed him despite evidence of his innocence. His federal complaint claims that police fabricated evidence, including false witness statements and identifications, through coercion, threats, fact-feeding, and promises of leniency.

Attorney Lauren Myerscough Mueller successfully argued that Harris was wrongfully convicted based on the mistaken eyewitness testimony and police misconduct. Medical records showed that the witness was legally blind as a result of glaucoma, which was not disclosed during the trial. Harris is now seeking a certificate of innocence to expunge his record.

Harris has expressed the difficulties he faces in rebuilding his life. "I don't have any financial help. I'm still treated like a felon, so I can't get a good job. It's hard for me to get into school," he said. "I've been so lost. I feel like they took a piece of me that is hard for me to get back."

The cases of Andy Malkinson and Darien Harris highlight the devastating impact of wrongful convictions and the urgent need for reforms in the criminal justice system. As Malkinson and Harris seek justice and compensation, their stories serve as a powerful testament to the importance of ensuring the reliability of evidence and the integrity of legal proceedings.

Key Takeaways

• Andy Malkinson spent 17 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, finally exonerated in 2021.
• Wrongful conviction due to mistaken eyewitness ID, unreliable witnesses, and lack of physical evidence.
• Darien Harris, another man, was wrongly imprisoned for 12 years based on legally blind witness testimony.
• Both men are seeking justice and compensation, highlighting the need for criminal justice system reforms.
• Wrongful convictions can lead to erosion of public trust and further miscarriages of justice if left unchecked.