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

The trial of three retired Philadelphia detectives linked to falsifying evidence in a homicide case concluded Thursday with varied outcomes. Martin Devlin was fully acquitted, while Frank Jastrzembski faced acquittal on all but one charge, and Manuel Santiago was found guilty on two counts but acquitted on two others. This trial was exceptional, as it is rare for public officials to face criminal charges related to wrongful conviction cases.

The detectives were involved in a 1991 homicide case that led to the wrongful conviction of Anthony Wright, who spent 25 years in prison until DNA evidence exonerated him. The District Attorney, Larry Krasner, charged the detectives in 2021, shortly before the statute of limitations was set to expire. The charges stemmed from allegations of lying about evidence and their roles in the investigation, particularly surrounding Wright's confession, which he argued was coerced.

During the retrial, Wright's signature on the confession was debated, with his attorneys asserting that police coerced him in their interrogation tactics. Despite the pressure of cross-examination, Wright maintained his innocence regarding the murder. The retrial brought to light numerous discrepancies regarding witness testimonies and police conduct during the original case.

Krasner's office has made strides in holding law enforcement accountable, leading to approximately 50 exonerations since his tenure began in 2018. While the defense claimed tainting of the grand jury, attempts to appeal the matter were declined by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The verdict raised concerns about the detectives’ integrity and their understanding of the evidence they managed.

In light of the verdicts, defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. announced plans to appeal, arguing the inconsistent nature of the outcomes suggested confusion among the witnesses and detectives regarding the DNA findings. Krasner remarked on the importance of the guilty verdicts, emphasizing that law enforcement must respect evidence and truth in their investigations. The convicted detectives are expected to be sentenced in June.