C.J. Rice was wrongfully convicted of a shooting that injured four people when he was 17 years-old.
The District Attorney’s office issued a statement about the monumental decision that same day.
“I want to thank our Federal Litigation Unit and Gun Violence Task Force for their work toward achieving a just resolution of this matter,” said Krasner. “Mr. Rice did not receive effective assistance of defense counsel at trial, nor did this office under a prior administration conduct a vigorous investigation of potential alibis.”
Krasner also acknowledged Rice’s mother Crystal Cooper, who worked as a DAO paralegal at the time of her son’s arrest.
“All defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he continued. “At minimum, this office should have made sure Mr. Rice had access to competent legal counsel, just as I and all DAO supervisors would if their own children were accused of a crime.”
Rice, who had been injured in a non-fatal shooting just days prior and had known the victims for years, was subsequently arrested after police received an anonymous tip implicating a suspect, despite the teenager still having difficulties walking due to his own attack, CNN reports. Rice was selected by one of the four victims out of a police lineup, though the details of this conversation were not recorded.
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Source: Black Enterprise
