Juan Rivera Murder Conviction Reversed, Man Released After Almost 20 Years Behind Bars (VIDEO)

A man convicted three times of and sentenced to a life prison sentence in the 1992 stabbing death of an 11-year-old girl was released Friday after authorities chose not to challenge that conviction's reversal by an appellate court.

Juan Rivera, 39, formerly of Waukegan, Ill., was greeted by a group of friends, family and supporters as he exited the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet Friday.

Rivera told NBC Chicago that he now considers the date of Jan. 6, 2012, as something of a birthday:

"It's the beginning of a new life. All I know is prison life and now there's no longer a prison life but a family life. That's what I look forward to. ... It's a long-awaited experience, you know, to finally show my innocence."

As the Chicago Tribune reports, the Illinois Appellate Court on Dec. 9 ruled that Rivera's conviction in the 1992 murder of 11-year-old babysitter Holly Staker was "unjustified and cannot stand." Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller announced Friday that he would not ask the state Supreme Court to review the appellate court's decision.

"Therefore, the prosecution of Mr. Rivera comes to a conclusion today," Waller said, according to the Tribune.

Rivera was initially convicted in the slaying in 1993, but that decision was overturned upon appeal. He was tried a second time, and was convicted again, in 1998, CBS Chicago reports. And in 2009, he was tried a third time using advanced DNA testing. Despite contradictory DNA evidence, a jury in the final trial convicted the man.

Comments

[ropero12151]

10:27 AM on 01/14/2012

God bless this man and his families.

[ropero12151]

10:25 AM on 01/14/2012

You cant trust the system no more specially if you are spanish or black.

[ropero12151]

10:23 AM on 01/14/2012

Who gave you the right to judge?

[westreal]

09:16 AM on 01/10/2012

I don't believe any prisoner who says they don't have any resentment after being wrongly locked up for 20 years. That sounds like lawyer talk. Because I'd be like "You sums-of-viches owe me for ruining my life" on live TV. "Where's my paycheck"

[Vapula]

07:33 PM on 01/09/2012

He's lucky he wasn't incarcerated in Texas. There they put innocent people to death, something Perry says he doesn't care about. Guess Perry's only response to injustice is 'Oops'.

[Max Shaw]

05:06 PM on 01/09/2012

Jury of ones peers shouldnt include anyone whos an idiot. Hope that him, that girl and families get the justice they deserve.

[masterhq]

12:12 PM on 01/09/2012

Who was the judge on that 3rd trial, with the conflicting DNA? Did he not have the competence and intestinal fortitude to reverse the jury's verdict and render a not guilty one, notwithstanding....? This guy should sue the .... out of the state.

[freddsky]

10:56 AM on 01/09/2012

In Texas, this headline would read:

WRONGLY ACCUSED MAN RELEASED FROM GRAVE

[freedom1947]

09:54 AM on 01/09/2012

He's latino. Stands to reason he must be guilty. Even though all the evidence says he's innocent.

[LeftLeanWing]

11:52 AM on 01/09/2012

And in 2009, he was tried a third time using advanced DNA testing. Despite contradictory DNA evidence, a jury in the final trial convicted the man.

[sergal stew]

07:37 AM on 01/09/2012

Easy way to fix this. Jail District Attorneys,Prosecutors,Investigators and Cops when they get it wrong.

[Johanna Gerke]

05:51 AM on 01/09/2012

Thank you , Jesus !

[Johanna Gerke]

05:45 AM on 01/09/2012

for those that were withholding evidence even though they have immunity , they should be held responsible for sending this young man to prison, and send them to prison for their actions. Do the crime, do the time.

[Johanna Gerke]

05:40 AM on 01/09/2012

That's really pathetic for the court to send a man to prison and knowing that the DNA showed other evidence to the contrary. Defense attorneys and Judges need to be more authoratative and do right by the people. Instead of going with the flow of "we need to convict another person for our quota". People are not property they are Priceless.
I am Ecstatic that this young man was able to get released young enough to enjoy his family and friends, and not have left when he was in his 80's. Thank God in the name of Jesus. Amen.

[horsestoy]

01:45 AM on 01/09/2012

Even after the conflicting DNA, they convicted him again. I don't believe he did it, and thankfully he got out young enough to enjoy his new found freedom. I hope he uses it wisely.

[foxbatt211]

12:47 AM on 01/09/2012

After an investigation if it is proven that police and the DA were hiding evidence, or in any way put this man in jail knowing he may not have conmmitted the crime should they be tried and if found guilty executed?