Death Row Inmate In Notorious Murder Case Asks To Be Released Before Re-Trial
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A man on death row for 16 years in connection to a triple murder in Broward County is fighting to get out of jail while he's waiting for a new trial.
Pablo Ibar, 44, appeared in a Broward courtroom Friday morning, asking the judge to grant him bond so he can assemble a legal team and prepare for the re-trial. The judge is expected to make a decision on the matter in about two weeks.
The hearing comes after the Florida Supreme Court vacated Ibar's death sentence back in February. In response, the state asked for a hearing but the court on Monday denied the request, sealing Ibar's legal victory, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
Ibar was convicted of killing three people in a home invasion robbery in Miramar back in 1994 in what became known as the 'Casey's Nickelodeon Murders.' One of the murder victims, was Casey Kucharski who operated a Pembroke Park bar with that name. The killings also took place in his home. The other two victims were Sharon Anderson and Marie Rogers.
The Supreme Court cited numerous deficiencies by Ibar's attorney and expressed doubt of Ibar's guilt.
"In this case, there was a lack of physical evidence connecting Ibar to the triple murders," the court wrote in their ruling.
Ibar's DNA was not found on a blue T-shirt recovered from the crime scene. A surveillance tape that figured prominently in his case was also in question. A key witness, an expert in facial identification, testified it was not possible to say "with certainty" that Ibar and the perpetrator were one and the same.
Ibar provided an alibi and has always maintained his innocence.
His first trial ended in hung jury. His co-defendant, Seth Penalver, was acquitted during a retrial 20 years after the murders.
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