California man who served 33 years behind bars freed after state determines he is innocent

May 26, 2023 at 03:45

A California man who served 33 years behind bars for attempted murder has been freed after the state reopened his case and determined he was not involved in the crime, the Los Angeles County district attorney announced Thursday.
District Attorney George Gascón said Daniel Saldana, 55, would now be allowed to walk free after he was one of three men charged in a shooting incident near a high school in 1990.
"I know that this won’t bring you back the decades you endured in prison.
But I hope our apology brings some small comfort to you as you begin your new life," Gascón said at a press conference.
He was convicted of six counts of attempted murder, one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle and was sentenced to 45 years to life in state prison.
Two other suspects were charged in connection with the shooting.
CALIFORNIA TEEN DIES DURING SOCIAL MEDIA STUNT ON 6TH STREET BRIDGE: POLICESix years after the testimony was provided, Saldana was declared innocent, Gascón said.
The delay was attributed to a former deputy district attorney who was present at the parole hearing where the convicted attacker gave the exonerating testimony.
The official "apparently did nothing" with the testimony, failing to notify Saldana or his attorney, as required by law, the DA said.
Saldana appeared with Gascón at a press conference Thursday, saying he was grateful to be freed.
"It’s a struggle, every day waking up knowing you’re innocent and here I am locked up in a cell, crying for help," Saldana said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHe added: "I’m just so happy this day came."