John,

Today, Norberto Peets was finally exonerated after the court dismissed all charges against him related to a 1996 shooting in the Bronx, New York.

Norberto spent 26 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, but he never gave up hope and steadfastly maintained his innocence for more than two decades. Upon his exoneration, he said, “I am so grateful to my family for all their support. Sometimes, I never thought I would see this day. But I knew I had to keep going, and I did.”

Take a moment right now to read more about Norberto’s story and then share the news with your friends and family online.

On Sept. 29, 1996, a fight broke out on an elevated subway platform at 183rd St. and Jerome Ave. shortly before a man shot two people and assaulted a third. Two police officers arriving at the scene exchanged fire with the gunman as he fled. Police testified they believed the gunman had been shot, and a bloody bullet fragment had been found where the gunman had apparently fallen. Ballistics showed the bullet had come from the gun of the officer in pursuit of the suspect.

A week after the shooting, Norberto was arrested in an unrelated alleged robbery, for which the charges were later dismissed. Upon seeing Norberto in handcuffs, one of the officers who had responded to the subway shooting said he believed Norberto had been the gunman. Norberto was then charged with attempted murder and related charges.

At trial, Norberto insisted that he had been misidentified by the officer and that he had nothing to do with the crime. At the time of the shooting, he had been asleep in the apartment he shared with his mother and siblings, who testified they had been at home with him. The jury never heard powerful evidence supporting his innocence: that Norberto was never shot and that there was an alternate likely suspect who strongly resembled descriptions of the shooter. As a result, he was convicted in May 1999 and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

“Today is bittersweet,” said Jane Pucher, Norberto’s Innocence Project attorney. “Mr. Peets has lost decades of his life for a crime he did not commit. His jury never heard powerful, readily available evidence showing that he was misidentified.” Eyewitness misidentification is the leading contributor to wrongful convictions.

“We are grateful to the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for reinvestigating this case. Mr. Peets’ courage and perseverance — along with the unwavering support of his family, who have been through this with him — have brought him the justice he deserves.”

Please, read more about Norberto’s case and support him as he rebuilds his life by checking out his wish list here.  

Thank you for your support,

— The Innocence Project Team