Wrongfully Convicted Minnesota Father Freed After 27 Years Following Key Witness Confession

Bryan Hooper Sr. was wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years for the 1998 murder of 77-year-old Ann Prazniak in Minneapolis before being exonerated and released in 2025. Hooper's conviction was largely based on the testimony of Chalaka Young (also known as Chalaka Lewis), who falsely implicated him while she was a key witness and was given a lighter sentence for cooperating with prosecutors. Young later recanted her testimony and confessed to the murder, prompting the Hennepin County District Court to vacate Hooper's conviction. The court found that the original conviction was tainted by false evidence, including incentives given to witnesses who supported Young's claims. Hooper was welcomed by his family upon release and expressed hope for a positive future, while the Hennepin County Attorney's Office acknowledged the miscarriage of justice and worked with the Great North Innocence Project to rectify the case. The victim’s apartment had reportedly been used as a drug haven and for prostitution around the time of the murder, adding complexity to the case.