Tavares Hutchinson has been released after more than 25 years in prison for a 2000 Fort Lauderdale armed robbery conviction. Hutchinson has maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment, according to Local 10.
The Innocence Project of Florida uncovered new evidence raising doubts about his conviction. Discrepancies included differences between the victim’s description of the stolen jewelry and the items found with Hutchinson, as well as the victim’s later admission that he may have misidentified Hutchinson. NBC Miami reported that these inconsistencies were key in securing Hutchinson’s release.
Hutchinson’s conviction remains on his record, and he is still considered a convicted felon. The Broward County State Attorney’s Office described his release as a sentence modification rather than an exoneration. Hutchinson will transition through a prisoner re-entry home as he adjusts to life outside prison.
