In October, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office conceded in a 10-page letter that there was evidence of “actual innocence.” A day later Jacke overturned Duran’s conviction.
But before agreeing to the defense team’s request to have Duran formally declared innocent — a finding that clears the way for state compensation for the years he spent wrongly imprisoned — prosecutors wanted to investigate further. Earlier this month, the D.A.’s office filed a letter agreeing with Baca’s request.
“While justice often arrives at arrest, conviction and sentencing, there are cases where justice has to set aside a conviction,” Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman told the court Friday, thanking his prosecutors and the diligent work of Duran’s defense team.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” he said. “We don’t get too many days like this.”
Duran is the third person found factually innocent of murder since Hochman took office last year.