After spending 30 years in prison for a murder he has always maintained he did not commit, Gordon Cordeiro walked free from the Maui Community Correctional Center on Friday, greeted by cheers from family, friends and his legal team from the Hawaii Innocence Project (HIP).
Cordeiro, now 51, was convicted in 1994 for the murder of Timothy Blaisdell in Kula when he was just 20 years old. New DNA evidence revealed that his DNA was not present at the crime scene, but the DNA of the initial suspect, Michael Freitas, was included in evidence, along with that of an unknown male.
In court, Circuit Judge Kirstin Hamman ruled that the new DNA findings would likely have changed the outcome of the trial, leading to the overturning of Cordeiro's conviction, Hawaii News Now reported. Upon hearing the ruling on Friday, Cordeiro broke down in tears, while his father, Dennis Cordeiro, expressed relief and joy.
Despite the overturned verdict, the Maui prosecutor's office still has the option to refile charges. "Certainly DNA evidence can be compelling in a cold case like this, but I don't believe they met the standard to have this conviction set aside," Deputy Prosecutor Richard Rost stated.
Cordeiro's legal team disagrees. "If they really sat down and took the time to look at the evidence, they should not re-try this case," said attorney Gina Gormley.
"This is a case when you hear the facts, you know something deep down was not right," said Ken Lawson, co-director of HIP, which has been fighting for Cordeiro's freedom since 2010.
Now free, Cordeiro plans to visit his mother's gravesite—she passed away the same year he was incarcerated. HIP will also work to get him compensation under Hawaii law, which grants $50,000 for each year wrongfully served.
Adjusting to life outside will be challenging, but with strong family support, Cordeiro is ready for a fresh start.
"It's freedom Friday," he said with a smile as he embraced his loved ones.
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