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

A long-awaited justice

Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, who recently appeared in the film Sing Sing, had his conviction overturned on Monday after spending decades wrongfully imprisoned for murder. Velazquez, now 48, was convicted in 1999 for the murder of retired police officer Albert Ward during a robbery at a Harlem gambling parlor. He served over 23 years at Sing Sing Correctional Facility before his sentence was commuted by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021.

The fight for exoneration

Upon his release, Velazquez continued to advocate for his exoneration and broader criminal justice reform. In 2022, he met with President Biden, who apologized for his wrongful conviction. Velazquez’s story gained further attention through his role in the A24 film Sing Sing, where he portrayed a version of himself participating in the prison’s theater program alongside Colman Domingo.

A testament to character

The producers of Sing Sing, Greg Kwedar, Monique Waton, and Clint Bentley, expressed their admiration for Velazquez in a statement:

“We’ve had the deep honor and privilege of working with Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez on the set of Sing Sing and on the road promoting our film to the world. We’ve seen firsthand the quality of his character, the depth of his soul, and the reach of his kindness. Surely, everyone who watches our movie feels it too. Now, in the halls of justice, JJ will be afforded what has been so long-overdue for him … exoneration for his wrongful conviction. It is yet another step in his powerful journey. A moment he will no doubt use for the betterment of others, and to advocate for those still behind the walls. Because that’s just who he is.”

The case against Velazquez

Despite being indicted and convicted of murder, Velazquez did not match the suspect’s description and had phone records supporting his alibi. His case gained significant attention through a decade-long investigation with a major news network, culminating in a broadcast in 2012.

The role of DNA evidence

The District Attorney’s office initially opposed Velazquez’s motions to vacate his conviction in 2014 and 2018. However, in 2022, the Post-Conviction Justice Unit reopened the case, discovering that Velazquez’s DNA was not present on a betting slip handled by one of the armed robbers. This type of DNA comparison was unavailable at the time of the original trial.

A new chapter

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg supported Velazquez’s request to vacate the conviction, citing newly discovered DNA evidence. Judge Abraham Clott granted the motion on Monday, officially dismissing the indictment.

District Attorney Bragg commented on the case:

“JJ Velazquez has lived in the shadow of his conviction for more than 25 years, and I hope that today brings with it a new chapter for him. I am grateful to our Post-Conviction Justice Unit for its commitment to impartially uncovering the facts and evidence in this case. Since the creation of the Unit in 2022, we have vacated 10 convictions through reinvestigations and 500 more related to law enforcement members convicted of misconduct. These convictions have deep consequences for individuals and their loved ones, compromise public safety, and undermine trust in the criminal justice system, which is why this work is of the utmost importance to me. We will continue to review these types of cases with the thoroughness and fairness they require.”

Reflecting on the journey

Velazquez’s story is a powerful reminder of the flaws within the criminal justice system and the importance of continuous advocacy for those wrongfully convicted. His journey from wrongful imprisonment to exoneration highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the critical need for reform.

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