In a recent development, a New York City judge has cleared Eric Smokes and David Warren, childhood friends convicted in the 1987 killing of French tourist Jean Casse in Times Square. Now in their 50s, Smokes and Warren were arrested as teenagers and spent decades in prison maintaining their innocence before their convictions were overturned.

The Tragic Incident and Initial Arrests

On New Year’s Day in 1987, 71-year-old Jean Casse was fatally mugged while walking with his wife in Times Square. Eric Smokes, 19, and David Warren, 16, were swiftly charged with the murder. Despite both consistently claiming innocence, they were convicted at trial and sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Decades of Maintaining Innocence

Smokes and Warren, who considered themselves brothers, endured years of legal battles to clear their names. Notably, no DNA evidence linked them to the crime, raising questions about the validity of their convictions. The four witnesses who testified during the trial were teenagers, some later admitting they were pressured by police and even threatened with arrest if they did not implicate Smokes and Warren.

Uncovering Police Pressure: A Turning Point

After facing initial opposition in 2017 from Judge Stephen Antignani and the Manhattan district attorney’s office led by Cyrus Vance, the men’s efforts gained traction in 2022 under the new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg. A fresh investigation revealed “significant new evidence,” including transcripts demonstrating that teenage witnesses were coerced by the police and that at least one of them was likely not present at the crime scene.

The Long-Awaited Decision

This week, Judge Antignani finally agreed to vacate the convictions in light of the new evidence. Smokes and Warren, who spent 24 and 20 years in prison, respectively, were released on parole in 2011 and 2007. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, acknowledged the injustice, stating, “Eric Smokes and David Warren lost decades of their life to an unjust conviction.”

Legal Perspective: Tunnel Vision and Misconduct

Attorney Jay Henning, representing Smokes and Warren, emphasized the case’s flaws, citing “tunnel vision riddled with police and prosecutorial misconduct.” He expressed the men’s satisfaction at having their names cleared but underscored that justice was long overdue.

A Delayed Triumph for Justice

The overturning of Eric Smokes and David Warren’s convictions serves as a reminder of the potential flaws in the criminal justice system. The prolonged legal battle, characterized by recanted witness statements and evidence of police pressure, highlights the importance of continuous scrutiny and reevaluation in ensuring a fair and just legal process.