Michael Hanline, California’s longest-serving wrongfully convicted inmate, was released from Ventura County Superior Court on November 24th after serving 36 years behind bars for a wrongful murder conviction. In 1978, Ventura resident J.T. McGarry, a friend and associate of Hanline, was shot to death. Hanline was arrested for the crime and ultimately convicted of first-degree murder after Hanline’s then-girlfriend, the prosecution’s key witness, testified against him. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Hanline maintained his innocence since his arrest—and more than 20 years after his conviction he contacted the California Innocence Project. After years of investigation into his case, the California Innocence Project uncovered police reports that had been sealed before Hanline’s trial, which implicated other suspects in the crime and casted doubt on the key witness’ testimony. Additional DNA testing and investigation by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office supported Hanline’s innocence, whose conviction was ultimately reversed by a California Superior Court judge. Prosecutors have until May 29, 2015 to decide if Hanline will face a retrial.
Congratulations to our friends at CIP for this incredible victory!
Read more here.
