Mixed verdict for 3 Philadelphia detectives in perjury trial involving a 2016 murder exoneration

The trial of three retired Philadelphia detectives accused of fabricating evidence in a homicide case concluded with a mixed verdict. Martin Devlin was fully acquitted, while Frank Jastrzembski was acquitted of all but one count, and Manuel Santiago faced two convictions amidst his acquittals. This prosecution was notable, as public officials are rarely charged in cases concerning wrongful convictions.

The backdrop of the case dates back to a 1991 homicide in which Anthony Wright, then 20, was convicted of the rape and murder of an elderly widow. After spending 25 years in prison, DNA evidence absolved him, leading to the retrial in which he was acquitted. Key to the trial was Wright's confession, which he and his lawyers claimed was coerced, a point contested by the police.

Wright’s testimony revealed he was allegedly forced to confess while handcuffed, even as he initially signed and acknowledged the details of the confession. During the retrial, both defense and prosecution rigorously debated his alibi and prior witnesses’ testimonies that had implicated him. The defense argued that the detectives were truthful and that Wright had merely escaped justice.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner charged the three detectives in 2021, shortly before the statute of limitations expired. Krasner, advocating for police accountability since taking office, has overseen numerous exonerations. The charges against Santiago and Devlin included lying about the confession, while Jastrzembski faced accusations connected to the discovery of DNA evidence in the case.

The defense contended that Krasner's office swayed the grand jury by emphasizing the detectives' alleged history of misconduct. However, appeals regarding this issue were denied by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, allowing the trial and its mixed outcomes to proceed.