Students at a New York high school received life advice from three exonerees and the father of a shooting victim, who promoted community involvement, education, and healthy lifestyles for young men. The panel consisted of Kharey Wise and Yusef Salaam, two of the “Central Park Five” exonerees, wrongfully convicted Alan Newton, and William Bell, whose son was killed by NYPD undercover police officers. The panel, organized by students, was sponsored by the school district’s Male Engagement Initiative program, which encourages young men to engage in their community, receive an education, and stay out of trouble.
Wise and Salaam were wrongfully convicted in 1990 of the rape and assault of a New York woman that occurred a year earlier. Wise and Salaam were just 16 and 15 years old at the time of the crime, and their convictions were largely based on false confessions that were coerced by police officers and investigators. The men were exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence confirmed that Matias Reyes, a convicted rapist and murderer, committed the crime. In 2006, Newton was exonerated through DNA evidence after serving 22 years wrongfully imprisoned for rape, robbery, and assault convictions.
All four panelists shared their unique stories and gave life advice to over 200 adults and high school students. “Our community could be better just by the presence of the older males that are active in our community,” said 18-year-old Albert Curley III, a high school senior, according to Newsday newspaper.
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