Wayne Gardine Exonerated
FFF Exonerate Wayne Gardine Press Conference, 2023
After over 30 years of incarceration, Wayne Gardine was finally exonerated for a crime that he didn’t commit. With the help from the amazing attorneys at the Legal Aid Society, Wayne is now able to reclaim his life and rebuild what was unjustly taken from him. The Legal Aid Society, committed to achieving justice for marginalized communities, exposed the miscarriages of justice that kept Wayne behind bars for most of his life. The journey to exoneration was not an easy one, but it was filled with tireless advocacy and determination of those who believed in Wayne’s innocence.
However, the journey doesn't end here. Despite having his conviction vacated, ICE is still keeping Wayne in custody which is making a joyful day bittersweet. As Wayne’s attorneys and supporters celebrate this win, Wayne continues to be separated from his community. The persistent grasp of immigration authorities is preventing him from having his shackles released.
Wayne maintains his resilience in the battle for his freedom. Families for Freedom vows to continue to support Wayne. We are demanding that ICE do its due diligence and immediately release Wayne from custody. This wrongful incarceration of 30 years prevented Wayne from taking the necessary steps to becoming a citizen. It is unjust that ICE continues to detain him.
Statement from Families for Freedom’s Executive Director, Janay Cauthen:
“I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a deep sense of injustice. As many of you know, Wayne Gardine, an innocent man, was exonerated today in Manhattan criminal court of all charges related to the crime he was wrongfully convicted of. This should have been a moment of celebration and relief for Wayne and his loved ones. However, I am saddened to inform you that despite his exoneration, Wayne is still being held in detention by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at Buffalo Detention Center.
Wayne's case is a glaring example of the flaws and failures within our criminal justice and immigration systems. He spent over 30 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit, and now he continues to be unjustly detained by ICE, despite having his case overturned.
It is deeply troubling that ICE is disregarding the evidence of Wayne's innocence and choosing to keep him detained. This not only goes against the principles of justice and fairness, but it also highlights the systemic issues within our immigration system amongst black and brown people. Wayne should be released immediately and allowed to reunite with his family, who have suffered immensely throughout this ordeal.
I urge all of you to join me in advocating for Wayne's release. We must raise our voices and demand that ICE rectify this grave injustice. Wayne deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and he should not be subjected to further harm and trauma.
I also call upon our elected officials and community leaders to take action. It is their responsibility to ensure that justice is served and that innocent individuals like Wayne are not caught in the crosshairs of a broken system. We must work together to bring about meaningful change and prevent others from experiencing the same injustice.
In the face of adversity, we must stand united and fight for what is right. Let us rally behind Wayne Gardine and demand his immediate release from ICE detention. Together, we can make a difference and bring an end to this injustice.”
Statement from Salli Diaby, community coordinator:
“We are overjoyed that Wayne is finally receiving justice. It is now up to ICE to rightfully prevent his deportation. Wayne has endured a lot over the years and deporting him would only perpetuate the injustices he faced. We are thankful for attorney Lou Fox and the team at the Legal Aid Society for being a driving force in Wayne’s exoneration. We also extend our gratitude to Alvin Bragg and the Post Conviction Justice Unit for their dedication to ensuring a just legal process.”
Related Articles:
On a Single Day, Two Men Are Cleared in Decades-Old Manhattan Murders
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/27/nyregion/wayne-gardine-jabar-walker-exonerations.html
Man wrongly convicted of murder in 1996 in Harlem, exonerated after 29 years, faces ICE deportation
https://www.audacy.com/1010wins/news/local/man-convicted-of-murder-exonerated-faces-ice-deportation
