In 2014, Charles Herrera was charged for the murder of Ezekiel Hernandez Medina. He claims he stabbed Medina after he caught him trying to break into his car.
The case concluded today in a trial without jury before Justice John Gonzalez who acquitted Herrera. We spoke to Herrera's lawyer, Christelle Wilson, who told us why the judge decided the evidence did not prove that he was guilty.
Christelle Wilson - Herrera's Attorney
"The judge said that after listening to all the evidence that was presented by the prosecution, he's of the opinion that it was merely a suspicious accusation that he was guilty of murder. The prosecution evidence was not solid enough to prove to him beyond a reasonable doubt that he could conclusively say that Mr. Herrera had anything to do with the murder of Mr. Medina. And the defense has always maintained its case that Mr. Herrera was innocent, you know."
One of the reasons the case went on for so long was because of a confession statement Herrera made where he admitted to defending his property because he thought that's what the police wanted to hear, and that it would prevent him from being charged with murder. At the time of the confession, however it was revealed that police had withheld food and water from him for over 5 hours. His lawyer explained how this forced statement factored in to the decision.
Christelle Wilson - Herrera's Attorney
"Well Mr. Herrera did give a caution statement to the police, but the caution statement as Mr. Herrera and I said in court was induced, you know. He only gave the caution statement because as he alleges he was promised that if he gave the caution statement and he said that he acted in any way to defend his property, which was his car at the time, he would not have been charged with murder. So, after listening to the evidence that the prosecution brought up, and the defend counteracted by saying that this caution statement was not given voluntarily, this caution statement was not given by a man who committed murder, this caution statement was given by somebody who was promised something and in turn he just told the police what he thought the police wanted to hear."
After more than two years in prison, Herrera will return home to his six kids.
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