26 May 2023 , 15:07
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A man was declared innocent and set free after spending 33 years in prison.
Daniel Saldana, a man who spent 33 years in prison for a wrongful conviction of attempted murder in a 1989 shooting in Baldwin Park, California, has been declared innocent by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Saldana, now 55, expressed his gratitude for finally being released and acknowledged the difficulties he faced in believing that he would receive help.
"It’s a struggle, every day waking up knowing you’re innocent and here I am locked up in a cell, crying for help and not knowing the legal system or having the help," Saldana said.
Daniel Saldana, wrongly imprisoned for 33 years, declared innocent by Los Angeles District Attorney (AP)According to San Gabriel Valley Tribune, he added: "I’m just so happy this day came. I’m just grateful to be alive every day and healthy and just living life."
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He was convicted in 1990 for six counts of attempted murder and shooting at an occupied vehicle.
The shooting occurred when two individuals mistakenly targeted six high school students as gang members and opened fire, injuring two students.
Saldana, who was a 22-year-old construction worker at the time, was sentenced to 45 years to life.
Evidence was withheld, leading to six additional years of wrongful imprisonment (AP)In February 2023, it was revealed that another man convicted in the shooting had informed officials during a 2017 parole hearing that Saldana was not involved.
However, this crucial information was not disclosed to Saldana or his attorneys, leading to an additional six years of wrongful imprisonment.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is now working with law enforcement to identify others involved in the shooting.
Apologies were offered to Saldana and his family for the injustice they endured (AP)
Efforts are underway to identify others involved in the 1989 shooting case (AP)District Attorney George Gascon apologized to Saldana and his family, acknowledging the injustice and the impact it had on their lives.
"Not only is it a tragedy to force people into prison for a crime they did not commit, but every time an injustice of this magnitude takes place, the real people responsible are out there to commit more crimes," Mr Gascon said.
He added: "I know that this won’t bring you back the decades you endured in prison, but I hope our apology brings some small comfort to you as you begin your new life."