Episode
JJ
32:49
Published: Mon Feb 20 2023
Description
In December of 2002, NBC News Producer Dan Slepian got a letter from a New York State maximum security prison. It was detailed and meticulous, almost like it had been written by a lawyer. It was from a man serving 25 years to life for murder. And it ended with a desperate plea: look into my case.In 1998, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez was arrested for killing a retired New York City police officer. A year later, he was convicted of second degree murder. But he insisted he didn’t do it. Dan was skeptical. Prosecutors said five eyewitnesses had sworn JJ was the killer. Could five people be wrong?So Dan pays JJ a visit. And at the end of it, JJ gives Dan a challenge: prove me guilty.
Chapters
A producer for Dateline expresses gratitude for an attorney's consideration of his case, despite having an incomplete copy of his trial transcripts.
00:00 - 04:00 (04:00)
Summary
A producer for Dateline expresses gratitude for an attorney's consideration of his case, despite having an incomplete copy of his trial transcripts. The producer was working on a story about two wrongfully convicted men for the show.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
A retired police officer was shot at an illegal number spot, prompting a large police response.
04:00 - 08:36 (04:36)
Summary
A retired police officer was shot at an illegal number spot, prompting a large police response. The perpetrators fled the scene and only a few people reported the incident to the authorities.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
Witnesses provided inconsistent descriptions of the gunman in the assassination of Malcolm X, with some describing a light-skinned black man with curly hair and others describing a light-skinned man with braids.
08:36 - 13:54 (05:17)
Summary
Witnesses provided inconsistent descriptions of the gunman in the assassination of Malcolm X, with some describing a light-skinned black man with curly hair and others describing a light-skinned man with braids. One witness eventually identified the shooter's dark-skinned accomplice with duct tape.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
The author describes the intense security measures taken to interview an incarcerated person in a maximum security prison and the importance of asking consistent questions during multiple interviews.
13:54 - 18:16 (04:22)
Summary
The author describes the intense security measures taken to interview an incarcerated person in a maximum security prison and the importance of asking consistent questions during multiple interviews.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
A man recounts his experience of being falsely arrested and how he found redemption through faith.
18:16 - 22:38 (04:21)
Summary
A man recounts his experience of being falsely arrested and how he found redemption through faith.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
JJ shares his experience of being forced into a false confession and his time in prison.
22:38 - 27:36 (04:58)
Summary
JJ shares his experience of being forced into a false confession and his time in prison.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
The episode discusses the issue of eyewitness misidentification and how it can lead to wrongful convictions in criminal cases.
27:36 - 31:00 (03:24)
Summary
The episode discusses the issue of eyewitness misidentification and how it can lead to wrongful convictions in criminal cases.
EpisodeJJ
PodcastLetters from Sing Sing
In this episode of "Letters from Sing Sing," a mother shares her story about her son being wrongly accused of murder, and how her belief in his innocence and her dogged pursuit of an alibi ultimately paid off.
31:01 - 32:36 (01:35)
Summary
In this episode of "Letters from Sing Sing," a mother shares her story about her son being wrongly accused of murder, and how her belief in his innocence and her dogged pursuit of an alibi ultimately paid off.