After 12 years behind bars on a murder conviction, Darien Harris walked free Tuesday evening when prosecutors dropped the charges against him. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office decided not to pursue a new trial after a judge had vacated his conviction earlier this month, acknowledging the pivotal testimony came from a legally blind witness.
Harris was originally sentenced to 76 years for the 2011 fatal shooting at a South Side Chicago gas station, despite maintaining his innocence and stating he was at home watching the NBA finals during the crime. According to the Chicago Tribune, the 30-year-old's release was met with joy by his family and supporters, who gathered outside the Cook County Jail to welcome him.
Caught in a wave of jubilation, Harris was greeted by his mother, wife, and loved ones, cherishing a moment — long overdue — with his family, including a sister born during his incarceration. In a heartfelt reaction, Harris’ mother, Nakesha Harris, told the Chicago Tribune, "This will be his first Christmas with all his siblings in 12 years."
The case’s keystone, the testimony of eyewitness Dexter Saffold, cracked when it came to light that he suffered from severe visual impairment — a condition unacknowledged during Harris's 2014 trial. "Justice is supposed to be blind. The eyewitness is not supposed to be blind," Harris's attorney Lauren Myerscough-Mueller said, noting the mismatch between the lofty principles and the grounded realities that entangled her client, according to a CBS Chicago report.
Championing the newfound freedom of Harris, who plans to attend law school and aid those wrongfully convicted, Myerscough-Mueller emphasized his positive spirit and inspiration, as stated in a CBS Chicago interview. Community activist Ja'Mal Green also commended the investigative reporting that helped bring crucial details to light, said the CBS Chicago.
