What happened to JJ Velazquez? Incident under investigation as Sing-Sing actor is exonerated 23 years after wrongful conviction

Trigger Warning: This article contains references to violence

Life is often not fair, even though someone behaves ethically and exhibits their best behavior. This is evident in the case of actor and activist Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, who was finally exonerated after spending over two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Velazquez, who starred in the film Sing Sing, was convicted in 1999 of shooting a former police officer named Albert Ward during a robbery at a Harlem arcade. He was released from prison in 2021 after his sentence was commuted by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo.

In 2022, the Post-Conviction Justice Unit reopened an investigation into the case, with tests revealing that Velazquez's DNA was missing from a DNA mixture found on the perpetrator's betting slip.

This development worked in Velazquez's favor because the DNA findings may have influenced the jury's consideration of other evidence, including Velazquez's alibi and the fact that no evidence directly linked him to the crime.

After all charges were cleared, Velazquez told reporters outside the court: “It's so easy to lock someone up on flimsy facts, but the overwhelming truth is right behind us.”

Furthermore, he expressed his frustration and stressed the need for reforms to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure that justice is served.

As Entertainment reported, he added: “This is not a celebration. This is an indictment of the system.”

Meanwhile, Colman Domingo, Velazquez's co-star in Sing Sing, expressed his joy and relief at the news of his exoneration in a conversation with PEOPLE. “This brings me to tears. It is his commitment to his own justice that has led to justice finally being served. It came late, but it came and JJ can live lovingly, joyfully and purposefully again,” Domingo said.

He described JJ as an extraordinary man who was a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and worked to raise awareness of the issue. Additionally, JJ has been involved in various initiatives, including the “Voices From Within” educational program aimed at combating the crime and incarceration epidemic.

Disclaimer: If you need support or know someone struggling with domestic violence, assault or abuse, please contact your nearest mental health specialist, NGO or talk to someone about it. There are several hotlines available for this purpose.

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