Darien Harris : Exoneree Sues City Over Blind Witness Account – 30 characters

A man from Chicago who was exonerated in December following a wrongful murder conviction has filed a lawsuit against the city after new evidence emerged that a key eyewitness in his case was legally blind, according to reports.

Darien Harris was convicted in 2014 for the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Rondell Moore at a South Side gas station in 2011. Harris, who was 18 at the time of his arrest, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm, as per The Chicago Tribune.

After spending 12 years in prison out of a 76-year sentence, Harris was released in December when The Exoneration Project uncovered that the eyewitness who testified against him had advanced glaucoma and had lied about his eyesight issues, the Associated Press reported.

Now 31, Harris has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that police fabricated evidence and coerced witnesses to make false statements. Speaking to the Tribune, Harris expressed the challenges he faces in rebuilding his life, stating, “I don’t have any financial help. I’m still (treated like) a felon, so I can’t get a good job. It’s hard for me to get into school.”

During the trial, the legally blind eyewitness identified Harris as the shooter, claiming he saw him aiming a handgun near the gas station. The witness also testified that his diabetes affected his vision, but denied having vision problems when questioned by Harris’ attorney.

Evidence presented in Harris’ defense included testimony from a gas station attendant who confirmed Harris was not the shooter, and a supposed getaway driver who recanted his identification of Harris, stating that police pressured him into falsely accusing Harris. The alleged gunman in the shooting was identified as a teenager who was killed in a separate incident months later.

Harris is seeking compensation from the city of Chicago and several Chicago Police officers involved in the case. A spokesperson for Chicago declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

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