Clarence Moses-el, a man who endured the agony of wrongful imprisonment for more than 25 years, has finally been granted justice in the form of a substantial monetary award.
After being found guilty of a crime he did not commit, Moses-el was recently awarded an astounding $2,304,979 in compensation.
The man was imprisoned due to a woman's dream
The injustice began in 1987 when Moses-el was sentenced to a staggering 48 years in prison based on a woman's dream.
The alleged victim claimed to have been brutally assaulted and beaten in her apartment following a party.
She identified Moses-el as the perpetrator, believing she had seen him in a dream. The attack had left her with severe injuries, including fractured facial bones and the loss of vision in one eye.
Three men who had been drinking with the victim before the incident were also identified as potential suspects.
However, it was Moses-el who was arrested and finally sentenced.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout his imprisonment, Moses-el faced numerous difficulties in his pursuit of justice.
The justice was finally unraveled, giving Moses-el freedom
It was only years later that a shocking revelation came to light.
The Denver Police Department, in an unfortunate turn of events, discarded crucial physical evidence, including an untested rape kit, which had been labeled "Do not destroy."
The investigation found that the disposal of important evidence, such as the untested rape kit, was due to communication problems rather than intentional wrongdoing.
However, it was an unrelated rape case investigation that ultimately led to a breakthrough in Moses-el's case.
During the second trial, Moses-el's attorney presented evidence that a blood sample collected from the crime scene did not match his client's DNA.
Furthermore, another man confessed to the assault, further bolstering Moses-el's claims of innocence.
In November 2016, after enduring a retrial and spending an agonizing 25 years behind bars, Clarence Moses-el was finally acquitted of all charges.
Upon his release, Clarence Moses-el experienced indescribable joy and relief.
He expressed his overwhelming emotions, stating, "This is a moment I've fought for tirelessly." He eagerly anticipated reuniting with his family and savoring the freedom that had been unjustly taken away from him.
However, Moses-el's fight was not yet over.
Although a Colorado law passed in 2013 allowed for compensation in cases of wrongful conviction, the recently acquitted rape allegations presented a potential obstacle for Moses-el in his pursuit of compensation.
Despite the challenges he faced, Moses-el never gave up on seeking justice.
Finally, in 2016, his determination bore fruit as Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser stood behind his plea for exoneration and affirmed his right to receive compensation.
After 30 years of fighting, Moses-el was found not guilty and received $2,304,979 for his wrongful imprisonment.
He expressed his joy, stating that the compensation not only provides financial relief but also allows him to regain the important things that hold sentimental value and make him feel complete.
