Jon-Adrian Velazquez Exonerated After 24 Years

Jon-Adrian 'JJ' Velazquez was exonerated on September 30 after serving nearly 24 years in prison for the wrongful conviction of murdering retired NYPD officer Albert Ward in 1998. Velazquez, who had long maintained his innocence and had an alibi corroborated by phone records, was cleared after new DNA evidence excluded him as the perpetrator. His release followed a decade-long investigative effort initiated by 'Dateline NBC' and supported by high-profile advocates. This exoneration is part of a larger docuseries 'The Sing Sing Chronicles' by MSNBC, which spotlights Velazquez's case and other wrongful convictions. Velazquez, who became an advocate for criminal justice reform, also starred in the film 'Sing Sing,' highlighting the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility.