Man Accused In Lynwood Drive-By Freed After 20 Years In Prison
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Francisco Carillo was 16 years old when he last tasted freedom.
Carillo, now 37, stepped into the streets of downtown Los Angeles Wednesday as a free man for the first time in 20 years. Friends and family members cried and hugged him tightly as he grinned broadly at the beautiful weather.
"It's a beautiful day in L.A., man," Carillo told KCAL 9's Randy Paige. "I've always had faith and confidence that justice would prevail, and here's proof of it, man."
Martinez was convicted in the drive-by killing of 41-year-old Donald Sarpy in a 1991 Lynwood shooting. The conviction was overturned Monday after five of the six witnesses at his trial came forward and recanted their statements.
Martinez says the first thing he'd like to do as a free man is take a shower. A homecoming party with friends and family is scheduled for later Wednesday night.
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