Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, who was granted clemency and freed in 2021, has now been officially exonerated, clearing his name of a wrongful conviction that kept him behind bars for nearly 24 years. A New York judge vacated his 1998 murder conviction on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in his long fight for justice. Velazquez, 48, had been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of retired NYPD officer Albert Ward during a robbery at a Harlem gambling den, a crime prosecutors now say he didn’t commit.
Outside the courtroom, Velazquez tearfully hugged family and friends, finally able to close the chapter on the wrongful conviction that had overshadowed his life. His exoneration follows newly discovered DNA evidence that proved crucial in clearing his name. DNA found on a betting slip handled by the actual perpetrator did not match Velazquez, evidence that was not available at the time of his trial. This breakthrough led the Manhattan District Attorney’s office to work with Velazquez’s legal team to vacate the conviction.
Velazquez’s story gained widespread attention in 2021 after his release and his role in the award-winning film Sing Sing. The film, directed by Greg Kwedar, focused on a prison arts program he participated in while incarcerated. It stars Velazquez and other former inmates and has been well-received by critics, with talk of possible Oscar nominations.
Since his release, Velazquez has become a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform. He founded the educational program Voices From Within during his time at Sing Sing and now works through his organization JJ4Justice to help other wrongfully convicted individuals. In 2022, Velazquez received a formal apology from President Joe Biden for his wrongful conviction, further solidifying his standing as a voice for change.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the exoneration and acknowledged the importance of correcting wrongful convictions. Since its formation, his Post-Conviction Justice Unit has vacated 10 wrongful convictions, including Velazquez’s. Bragg’s office reopened Velazquez’s case in 2022 after a Dateline NBC investigation in 2002 first raised doubts about the conviction.
