Jon-Adrian Velazquez: A journey from wrongful conviction to exoneration

A moment of triumph and tears

After nearly 24 years of wrongful imprisonment, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez has finally been exonerated. The actor, known for his role in the A24 prison drama Sing Sing, was cleared of his wrongful murder conviction in a downtown Manhattan courthouse. Overwhelmed with emotion, Velazquez embraced his friends and family, pounding his chest and pumping his fist in a moment of sheer relief and joy.

The story behind “Sing Sing”

Sing Sing is a poignant film that delves into the lives of incarcerated men who find purpose through theater. Velazquez co-stars with Colman Domingo, portraying a group of prisoners at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility, where Velazquez himself was unjustly held. The film features an ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors, adding a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative.

Support from the film community

The courtroom was filled with supporters, including Clarence Maclin, a fellow actor from “Sing Sing,” director Greg Kwedar, and Brent Buell, the playwright and theater instructor depicted by Paul Raci in the film. A24 staffers were also present, cheering Velazquez as he made his way to the elevators, with the crowd waving Puerto Rican flags and chanting, “¡Si se puede!”

Reflections on a broken system

Outside the courthouse, Velazquez, donning a hat that read “End of an Error,” was surrounded by press. In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, he expressed his sorrow over missing out on his children’s lives, describing his imprisonment as a form of kidnapping and enslavement. “This is not a celebration. This is an indictment of the system,” he stated, highlighting the systemic flaws that led to his wrongful conviction.

The long road to justice

In 1998, Velazquez was wrongfully convicted of murdering a retired New York police officer, despite having an alibi corroborated by phone records and not matching the suspect’s description. A decade-long investigation by a prominent news program introduced new evidence in his favor, but the Manhattan District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit initially upheld the conviction.

It wasn’t until August 17, 2021, that Velazquez was granted executive clemency by then New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. He was released from Sing Sing on September 9, 2021, after spending 23 years, eight months, and seven days in prison.

A presidential apology and ongoing trauma

In October 2022, during a criminal legal reform forum, President Joe Biden apologized to Velazquez on behalf of society for his wrongful conviction. However, Velazquez still needed a travel pass from a parole officer to meet the president. Ahead of his exoneration, Velazquez shared that the removal of the “scarlet letter” would restore a part of his dignity. “It’s a lot deeper than discrimination. It comes down to diminishing a person’s human dignity,” he said.

Despite the exoneration, Velazquez acknowledged that nothing could compensate for the 24 years he lost. “There’s a spirit of vindication, but there’s still a lot of trauma that’s unaddressed — that the system refuses to address,” he remarked. He noted that even a simple apology from the government is extremely rare after a wrongful conviction.

Advocacy and future aspirations

Velazquez is a dedicated criminal legal reform activist and a founding member of Voices From Within, an initiative that addresses crime and incarceration through the voices of those directly affected. Less than a year after his release, he began filming “Sing Sing,” calling it one of the most important projects of his life. The film, based on a true story, follows John “Divine G” Whitfield (played by Domingo), who finds purpose through the prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program.

“Sing Sing” operated on a community-based financial model, ensuring equal pay for all cast and crew members, who also share in the film’s success. In a joint statement, producers Kwedar, Monique Walton, and Clint Bentley described Velazquez’s exoneration as “yet another step in his powerful journey.”

Looking ahead

Beyond his activism, Velazquez hopes to continue acting. “To know that you can make money and still have fun, and be surrounded by great people,” he said, “I’m doing what I’m passionate about. What I always said I was going to do when I was inside, I’m actually doing now.”

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