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Convictions of four Alaska men over 1997 beating death of teen dismissed
Source: Reuters
US | Fri Dec 18, 2015 1:07am EST
Convictions of four Alaska men over 1997 beating death of teen dismissed
An Alaska judge on Thursday dismissed the convictions of four men who spent nearly two decades in prison for the murder of a teenager, approving a settlement in which defense attorneys introduced new evidence casting doubt on their guilt.
The three Alaska Native men and an American Indian had maintained their innocence in the 1997 beating death of Fairbanks teenager John Hartman, with Alaska Native leaders saying the convictions were racially motivated.
Alaska Governor Bill Walker said on his official Twitter feed that he was pleased the Alaska Department of Law and the men's attorneys had agreed to a deal that effectively tossed out the men's convictions.
"I hope this settlement helps begin the healing process and provides some measure of justice and closure," he said.
The men, known at the Fairbanks Four, were to be greeted on Thursday with a celebration at the local David Salmon Tribal Hall, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.
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Convictions of four Alaska men over 1997 beating death of teen dismissed
An Alaska judge on Thursday dismissed the convictions of four men who spent nearly two decades in prison for the murder of a teenager, approving a settlement in which defense attorneys introduced new evidence casting doubt on their guilt.
The three Alaska Native men and an American Indian had maintained their innocence in the 1997 beating death of Fairbanks teenager John Hartman, with Alaska Native leaders saying the convictions were racially motivated.
Alaska Governor Bill Walker said on his official Twitter feed that he was pleased the Alaska Department of Law and the men's attorneys had agreed to a deal that effectively tossed out the men's convictions.
"I hope this settlement helps begin the healing process and provides some measure of justice and closure," he said.
The men, known at the Fairbanks Four, were to be greeted on Thursday with a celebration at the local David Salmon Tribal Hall, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alaska-conviction-idUSKBN0U10GE20151218