From ADA Andrew Wellbrock, DAO Conviction Integrity Unit:

“The fact that Mr. Lewis is likely innocent has been apparent for some time. In 2009, a Federal judge heard from two eyewitnesses to the crime and concluded that ‘the court believes that [Mr. Lewis] is innocent.’ However, based on a procedural argument made by the District Attorney’s Office at the time, Mr. Lewis was not released.

Since that time, Mr. Lewis has continued to fight for his release. Part of that fight included a request to have the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) review his case. After a thorough investigation involving witness interviews and a review of the police file, the CIU reached the same conclusion as the Federal judge. When the CIU reached the conclusion that Mr. Lewis was likely innocent, our ethical duty required us to assist the courts in reaching the appropriate conclusion rather than relying on a procedural argument that would lead to an unjust result.

In simple terms, the role of the District Attorney’s Office is to see that justice is done, not simply obtain and defend convictions. In cases such as Mr. Lewis’s case, the criminal justice system works best when the prosecution and defense collaborate to seek the truth. Yesterday, Judge McDermott carefully considered the record and the fruits of such a collaboration. Her decision resulted in Mr. Lewis finally obtaining justice.”