Inside LADA
March 14, 2024: District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man Wrongfully Convicted of a South L.A. Murder in 2005
LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today the exoneration and release of Stephen Patterson, who spent nearly two decades in prison for a South L.A. murder in 2005 he did not commit.
“In this era of progress, it’s crucial to acknowledge the imperfections of our past and actively work to correct those wrongs,” District Attorney Gascón said. “It’s our responsibility that no family is torn apart by a miscarriage of justice, and no community is left with the actual perpetrator roaming their streets. Our office’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) is dedicated to meticulously reviewing cases and collaborating to uncover the truth and increase public safety.”
Michael Semanchik, executive director of The Innocence Center, said he was thrilled that Patterson has been exonerated.
“Stephen has always maintained his innocence. Unfortunately, his wrongful conviction was the product of a single bad eyewitness identification and shoddy police work,” Semanchik said. “We are lucky to have a great working relationship with the CIU. Not only did it allow us to free an innocent person, but together, we identified the true perpetrators.”
