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

The trial of three retired Philadelphia detectives accused of perjury in a homicide case concluded with a split verdict. Martin Devlin was acquitted of all charges, while Frank Jastrzembski was found not guilty on all but one count. Manuel Santiago was acquitted of two charges but convicted of two others, marking an unusual prosecution, as public officials rarely face charges in innocence cases.

The prosecutions stem from a 1991 murder case involving the rape and killing of an elderly widow. Anthony Wright, initially convicted and imprisoned for 25 years, had his conviction overturned after DNA evidence revealed another perpetrator. While his exoneration was confirmed during a retrial, Wright maintained that his confession, a key piece of evidence, was coerced, a claim disputed by the police.

During the trial, evidence was presented that the detectives had allegedly lied about the confession and the knowledge of DNA evidence. The prosecution, led by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, focused on the detectives' testimonies during a retrial that reignited scrutiny and led to the charges, which were filed just before the statute of limitations expired.

Devlin, Jastrzembski, and Santiago faced accusations related to false statements made during the 2016 retrial. Jastrzembski and Santiago were specifically charged with lying about DNA results and their histories with the case. The defense argued that the prosecutors had biased the grand jury with previous claims about the detectives’ credibility.

Following the verdicts, Jastrzembski and Santiago are scheduled for sentencing in June, while the defense plans to appeal, arguing that the convictions are inconsistent. Krasner emphasized the significance of the guilty verdicts as a critical message regarding the handling of evidence and the integrity of law enforcement.