The Central Park Five is a term used to refer to the five teenagers of color who were wrongly convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case. The five teenagers – Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise – were each convicted of various charges related to the rape and assault of a white female jogger in Central Park, New York. The convictions of the Central Park Five were overturned in 2002 after DNA evidence proved they were not involved in the crime.
Background
The crime that the Central Park Five were wrongfully convicted of occurred on April 19, 1989. That night, a 28-year-old female jogger was attacked and raped in Central Park. The Central Park Five were arrested in connection with the crime and were questioned by police without the presence of a parent or attorney. During the questioning, the teenagers were coerced into making false confessions.
The five teenagers were tried and convicted of various charges related to the attack, including rape, assault, and robbery. Yusef Salaam was sentenced to five to ten years in prison, Antron McCray and Raymond Santana were sentenced to five to ten years in prison, Kevin Richardson was sentenced to five to ten years in prison, and Korey Wise was sentenced to five to fifteen years in prison.
Overturning of Convictions
In 2002, the convictions of the Central Park Five were overturned after DNA evidence proved that none of the five teenagers were involved in the attack. Additionally, another man, Matias Reyes, confessed to the crime and his DNA matched the DNA found at the crime scene.
Settlement
In 2014, the five teenagers were awarded a settlement of $41 million from New York City for the wrongful conviction. The settlement was seen as a major victory for the five men, who had been wrongly convicted and wrongfully imprisoned for over a decade.
Legacy
The Central Park Five case has become a symbol of the racism and injustice that is inherent in the criminal justice system. It is also a reminder of the need for criminal justice reform, particularly for people of color. The five men who were wrongfully convicted are now working to raise awareness of the need for criminal justice reform, and to help other people who have been wrongfully convicted.
Conclusion
The Central Park Five case is a reminder of the systemic racism and injustice that exists in the criminal justice system. It is also a reminder of the need for criminal justice reform, and of the importance of listening to and believing the stories of those who have been wrongfully convicted. The five men who were wrongfully convicted in this case have become a symbol of hope and resilience, and have inspired many others to continue to fight for justice.
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