In 2017, JJ finally gets some good news. After years of denials and setbacks, he would appear before a judge for the first time since his conviction. A new judge would determine whether JJ’s rights were violated when the prosecutor at his trial withheld police reports related to his case – reports that, 10 months earlier, had arrived in Dan’s mailbox.But the judge ultimately denies JJ’s request for a new trial. Dan and JJ are devastated. JJ explores other avenues for getting released. He applies for clemency, but year after year, the governor passes him over. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hits. The world stops. And JJ experiences the pandemic behind bars.
JJ has been writing letters to his mother from prison for 20 years, expressing his regrets for what they had been through, thankful for her love, and not escaping the injustice even in his dreams.
The Brady motion is based on the fact that eyewitnesses to a crime provided an immediate description of the shooter to the police, but this information was withheld from the defense, which strikes at the integrity of the trial and the verdict.
In this episode, JJ discusses his experience in the criminal justice system, including being wrongfully convicted and the disappointment of false hope while waiting for an appeal. Despite evidence that could have helped his case not being disclosed in court, JJ's appeal was ultimately denied.
Many life-sentenced convicts turn to clemency as their last hope for release. Without an advocate or group pushing for their release, their chances are slim, but executive clemency can be the only way to achieve freedom.
After years of waiting, JJ Velasquez is granted executive clemency, which he is expected to be overjoyed about. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is fear of hand contact due to its unforgiving nature.
JJ's freedom comes down to the signature of a governor who would later leave office in a sex scandal. Uncontrollable emotions hinder one woman's ability to get out of bed.
JJ, who spent 23 years, 7 months, and 8 days in prison, talks about his first moments of freedom after being released.
A rundown of the production credits for the podcast "Letters From Sing Sing", which was produced by Preeti Varathon, Rob Allen and others, with original score by Christopher Scullion, Robert Riale, and Four Elements Music.