Men Falsely Accused In 1989 ‘Central Park Jogger’ Attack Seek Justice

April 19, 2011 10:00 PM

Some of the men falsely accused in the attack speak at a City Hall news conference Tuesday. (credit: CBS 2)

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Protesters stood on the steps of City Hall Tuesday demanding justice 22 years after the rape of a woman known as “The Central Park jogger” shocked the city.

City Councilman Charles Barron led a demonstration insisting New York City compensate the “Central Park 5,” who were exonerated in the attack nearly 8 years ago, for their lost years and wrongful imprisonment.

“My life was stolen from me. And so now as a 36-year-old man going on 37, who would have a stable career with his own apartment, own car, a family. I don’t have any of that. So this is where my problem is,” Raymond Santana, one of the falsely accused men said.

1010 WINS’ Stan Brooks with reaction from the protest

Trisha Meili, a small, 28-year-old old investment banker was dragged, beaten and sexually assaulted on April 19, 1989. She was found bloody and near death hours later. When Meili finally gained consciousness, she couldn’t remember anything about the horrible attack.

Men Falsely Accused In 1989 Central Park Jogger Attack Seek Justice

Rape victim Trisha Meili (credit: Associated Press)

The crime became a symbol for the times, and gave rise to the term “wilding” where gangs of youths roamed the park, terrorizing anyone who crossed their paths.

Police quickly arrested a handful of young men and eventually got Santana along with Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson and Kharey Wise to confess on video tape. They also implicated a fifth suspect — Yusef Salaam.

The cases divided the city along racial lines. The Central Park 5 went to prison with sentences ranging from six to sixteen years.

The five men were exonerated in 2002 when the actual rapist in the attack came forward.

“It’s been a long time — twenty-two years of my life. America, we just got to do something. We got to do something. I been waiting a long time for justice,” Wise said.

Santana said he and the other 4 men accused “were taken from our homes, robbed of our youth, given labels of ‘rapist, monsters, animals’ or ‘wolf pack.’” On the 22nd anniversary of the attack, Santana said the day reminded him of the “struggle, hardship, pain and suffering.”

Each of the five men are seeking $50 million in damages, but their lawyers said so far the city has refused to settle.

SOUND-OFF: Do you think the city should compensate the “Central Park 5?” Do you think they will be successful with their lawsuit? Let us know in the comments section…

HERE WE GO AGAIN

I wish we could. What your dumb ass doesn’t realize is that America would still need people to fill the prisons that generate soooo much money. America also needs minimum wage workers. When we’re gone who do you think will take our place? YOU WHITE TRASH! The game won’t stop just because all the people of color leave. Just look at the Mid West were there are no people of color. Prisons full of white criminals. Drive thrus full of white employees. Emergency rooms full of white crime victims. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. THIS MONSTER CALLED AMERICA NEEDS VICTIMS NO MATTER WHAT COLOR.

jack

i’m actually hispanic thanks
SEE BELOW

STOP LYING JACK. REAL HISPANICS REFER TO THEMSELVES AS LATINOS. NICE TRY.

Frank D

REALITY CHECK. . . THese guys were robbing and beating other people all the way accross the Park. Perhaps that’s been forgotten. That senile old fool of a DA (then only 98 years old) only indicted them for the rape ignoring their crime spree across Central Park.

Then Bob “weekend-At-Bernie’s” Morgenthau drops the charges.

These guys were not some kids grabbed on a corner “minding their own business.”

Surprised this clown has been arrested a few times since leaving jail. or has he?

JAMAL’S NOT BLACK

NICE TRY KIP.
Carol Brown

No they were not actually these kids were not out robbing and beating ppl up or is it that all blk boys rob and steal so you assumed that I wonder if white ppl would care so much about these boys if they raped a blk or latin woman…they wouldn’t so get you facts straight frank d

Ronnie

To Bob Fowler:

Competent legal counsel, Wah, hahahahahaha!
UH OHHH!

SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY INTELLIGENT, TALENTED, UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE AT HOME ALL DAY? THE POSTS START TO GET BETTER AND MORE PROFOUND.
K8tie

I know this case — I worked on it!!! These 5 savages are ALL guilty! Reyes took the fall because he was conveniently in he same prison as one of the 5 and was a budding Bloods gang member. Sure Reyes was there that night, but there’s NO QUESTION that she was attacked and beaten by multiple savages. I have seen the videotaped confessions and the evidence. In fact, the video confession of K. Wise was so “matter of fact” and nonchalant! He sat there for 2 hours telling the story, in vivid detail, with his parents by his side, while eating McDonalds!

TO K8TIE

YEAH RIGHT. IS THAT YOU MR. TRUMP?

WOW!

Pull your skirt down K8tie. I can see your TEA BAGS. First of all you are trying to sound informed but it is obvious you are just an angry white man impersonating a woman. Is K8tie your other persona? If you are a cop, you are probably one of the “BOYS” on the feel up black men’s bodies all day every day squad. Are you one of the “BOYS” who jumps at the chance to “STOP N FRISK” all those pretty black and brown boys 300,000 times a year? Hmmmm. ORRR, maybe you have a serious case of TARZAN SYNDROME. You really use the word SAVAGES alot. Did your high school sweetheart bang the black guy on the football team that cut you? Poor K8tie.

Frank D

I’ve heard the inside details too.

Who would not confess to a violent felony so they could go home? Duh!
HARLEM GOING H.A.M.

THE GUY WHO CONFESSED DNA MATCH THE RAPE KIT YOU CRASH DUMMY. STOP PLAYING THE RACE CARD WHEN IT’S NOT REQUIRED. THERE’S NO EXCUSE FOR THE GUILTY WHEN COMES TO RAPE. THE BLACK GUY WHO DID IT NEEDS TO BE AIRED-OUT FOR LIFES NO DESTORIED.
Carol Brown

nice try no u didn’t dna showed they were not guilty b4 u call ppl savage just remember ur ppl came for nasty ppl who didn’t bathe so dirty and gross the plauge killed millions of ur ppl also pirates UR ppl are the savages k*tie

History Major

If you study the history of the NYPD, they have always been a bunch of thugs that were used by wealthy businessmen, corrupt politicians, and criminals to help them get what they want in this city. Beginning in the 1870s, politics and corruption of Tammany Hall, a political machine supported by Irish immigrants infiltrated the NYPD, which was used as political tool, with positions awarded by politicians to loyalists. Many officers and leaders in the police department took bribes from local businesses, overlooking things like illegal liquor sales. Police also served political purposes such as manning polling places, where they would turn a blind eye to ballot box stuffing and other acts of fraud. Historically the NYPD has been brutal to the poor people of this city. A tradition that continues to this very day.

Bob Fowler

OK, so the NYPD is not beyond reproach. Fine. Now what? Shall every person ever questioned, suspected, arrested, tried, convicted, be allowed to walk away and sue for fortunes beyond what they would reasonably earn in 20 life times?

These young ‘men’ were convicted in a court of law. They were represented by competent legal counsel. They videotaped confessions, which, had they been acquired under duress, would have been excluded by their competent legal counsel. The fact that someone else admitted guilt years later does not change the fact they were apparently part of the pack that set upon this woman.

What exactly do they deserve? Because they were born black, they deserve a free hand? Because the NYPD is, as you call them, a bunch of thugs, anyone who commits a crime is allowed to cry prejudice?

The reality of this story is not a civil rights issue. The issue at hand is a city councilman is trying to secure a name for himself. Try to see the forest for the trees.

To Bob

I am no politician nor do I have the desire to be. I am just one poor black man who has never committed a crime, but has still been a victim of this gang of brutes. We can fix the problem and save the city millions of dollars and grief by simply holding unruly cops, prosecutors, and judges accountable. I am also tired of phony blacks making promises to get elected and then turning their backs on the people that supported them. WE NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT and I do support good cops. I don’t care about race. Liars, crooks and murderers come in all colors and religions. I’m sure however if white people were victims of this kind of B.S. there would be a serious overhaul of of the NYPD and it’s practices. But I guess it’s okay as long as no white people are harmed.
ABM

HEY BOB,
IF IT ONLY HAPPENS TO PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN RACE, THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE DUMMY! You sound like one of those white guys that gets really scared whenever a black man stands up for anything. Let me ease your mind and soothe your fears.
WE DON’T WANT YOUR BLOOD.
WE DON’T WANT YOUR WOMEN.
WE JUST WANT TO BE ALLOWED TO LIVE OUR LIVES LIKE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.
WE WANT OUR FAIR SHARE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM THAT WAS BUILT ON THE BACKS OF OUR ANCESTORS.
We all can have beautiful lives in this world if you would be BRAVE ENOUGH TO CONFRONT THE FEW GREEDY PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY KEEPING US DOWN AND STOP LETTING THEM USE YOU AS A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN US AND THEM. CHECK YOUR OWN PEOPLE AND WE WILL CHECK OURS AND THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.

RECORD STRAIGHT SETTER

Where is ERIC ADAMS on this issue? Silent because he is THE WHITE MAN’S DOG. ERIC ADAMS only speaks when his master commands him to. ERIC ADAMS and the other 100 BLACKS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT only talk when the NYPD needs a black face to help them out of a jam. Time after time whenever the NYPD violates people he is either silent or advocating on their behalf. VOTE ERIC ADAMS OUT OF OFFICE. Blacks need to learn that just because he is black he is not for us. HE IS AGAINST US AND WORKS FOR THE RACIST NYPD AGAINST US FOR HIS WEALTHY ELITE MASTERS WHO OWN THE 6th CRIME FAMILY.

JOE LOVER

First of all Joe, I LOVE YOU MAN!!! YOU SOUND LIKE A REAL AMERICAN. WE ARE BROTHERS FROM A TIME LONG AGO… ALL YOU NEED TO DO NOW IS RE-FOCUS YOUR HATRED ON YOUR REAL ENEMY (GREED).
BESIDES IF YOU WERE A REAL MAN YOU WOULD CRACK THE WHIP WEATHER I’M A SLAVE OR NOT. YOU NEED THE LAW BACKING YOU BECAUSE YOU KNOW I WOULD BREAK YOUR FRIGGIN’ NECK . DON’T HIDE BEHIND THE LAW YOU COWARD.
Don’t get me wrong JOE, I’m not mad at you. I’d want to whip the man that kicked my dog too.
Joeloverslover

ALL THIS TALK ABOUT WHIP CRACKING IS MAKING ME HOT….LETS ROLEPLAY

David Goldstein

They confessed to the crime on video and they got what they deserved.

Seymore

David, get a grip…..Black men and the NYPD…haven’t you learn anything in your life…If your black you are guilty to be proven innocent…if your white you are innocent until proven guilty…now I said it…prejudice will always prevail with small minded people

voiceofreason

Seymore, you are wrong. David is right. They confessed END OF STORY. Thanks for the insight Mr. Goldstein.

Bob Fowler

I’m a bit confused at how they can claim wrongful imprisonment, when they confessed to the crime? That being said, I am also confused at the $50 million per person settlement request.

A ‘normal’ high school graduate would, over the course of their work life, earn less than $2 million. These ‘premier’ gentlemen didn’t appear to have that high an upside, based upon their lives to that point. This entitles them to $50 million each?

I also liked the sad song about how now, years after the fact, a 36 year old man claims to be unable to have “a stable career with his own apartment, own car, a family.” Did admitting to a crime 20 years ago take away his ability to act like any other grown-up? It wasn’t easy for most of us. We took entry level jobs, worked hard, acted responsibly, tried to better ourselves…all without the benefit of the world feeling sorry for us.

Councilman Barron should be ashamed of himself, pandering for votes like this. Sadly, his constituents will probably only see him as a cash cow for others, and re-elect him in hopes that they too will get theirs.

Trish

I agree, they should not get $50 million each. However, I also understand the “sad song”. Even thought they have been exonorated of the crime, they are still being persecuted by the public, just read some of the comments here. Hence, they are unable to go forward because their past goes with them guilty or not. They should get $3 million each, $1 million for the greedy lawyers and $2 million for each….after taxes, the government has a tendency to take…
Oh really?

BOB FOWLER, if you are a NYer, then YOU are his Constituent.
Ever read the law? No, no, not the Law & Order version. The one in the binders.
I can loan you some if you’d like to come over to Chambers Street…if you know where that is.
Dub

http://articles.cnn.com/2002-12-05/justice/central.park.jogger_1_central-park-jogger-raymond-santana-kharey-wise?_s=PM:LAW

“But Matias Reyes, currently serving a 33-year sentence for raping and murdering another woman in 1989, told prison guards in January that he alone was responsible for the Central Park rape. DNA testing determined that semen found on the jogger belonged to Reyes, and his pubic hair was on her sock.

That evidence, combined with “significant weaknesses” in the men’s confessions, “increases the probability that the evidence would result in a different verdict,” Morgenthau stated in a 58-page motion Thursday.”

“Significant weaknesses”, but clearly not too weak to convict. Whether or not you consider this a civil rights issue is insignificant. Just like many others who were wrongly convicted of a crime and served many years have been compensated, they too deserve to be. Have you ever spent a decade or more in jail? Do you think the compensation should just equal the pay they would have amassed while they were locked up? CMON! Im not surprised by your response though. So, in your opinion, they should go about their merry way and just be happy to free now? Thats what you would do, right?
Carol Brown

dna shows that they were innocent…also I can understand how ppl confessed to crimes they did not commit. they are somethign in the holding room for days at a time they lies anything to get a confession. I worked for customer service and a cop asked for some info I gave it to him he called back wanting me to appear in court i told him no he starts “YOU are going to deny ME, an officer” he was very intimidating and i had to get a supervisor to get him off my back so imagine in person over hours and hours b4 we judge we should walk in the other person’s shoes

Jay Dee

These guy were found not guilty after being wrongly accused. It seem funny because they are black young men some of you “folks” have no sympaty for them. I know you are the same folks that waited objectively to see if that white Duke Lacrosse player really raped & killed that white woman, even the rapist/killer of Jennifer Levin(remember that one 1986) in Central Park. Its a shame when it comes to some “folks” they are so objective when it comes to their own race.
Yes, they deserved to be paid, but of course not $50 mil. a piece. More like $5 mil. a piece. You have to realize too that the State of New York & the Federal Gov. is going to tax the heck outta their settlement anyway. So its a win-win situation.

“Can’t we all just get along?”
New Beginnings

Caucasians had their way in the past, demeaning , undermining, just down right mean when it comes to others races because of their own inferior complex. Yea, I know the song Born this way. Thinking you all are better than others, well those days are over. When will Caucasians every get along with other ethnic groups beside themselves?
Creative New Beginnings to all

jack tripper

well jack maybe native americans feel you should go back to europe

http://demoncat4.wordpress.com demoncat4

they deserve some compensation for one they were made to confess on video tape to the crime sat in prison till the real rapist came forward . they at least deserve something for having their lives taken away for a crime. they real guilyt party did and was walking around while they sat in prison

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

give them a life time of free McDonalds

steve B

There is no reason to award these thugs a dime. They have already admitted guilt to the assault. There was another perp still not accounted for. The missing perp has come forward and admitted guilt to the rape. The men that served their time as accomplices were just as guilty so there was no error made therefore they are not worthy of a dime. If the city pays these thugs, the city and those of power are fools.

Jay Dee

Oh, so these innocent guys are thugs? I know you think your precious NYPD is unfallable, but they have so many complaints of brutality and false against black and hispanics. But I know you don’t care. I guess you doing remember Abner Louima. I know you mind slips when I bring up Adolph Osback, the Queens NYPD detective that fabricated evidence that caused 5 black men to be arrested, imprisoned falsey.

Steve, grow up you closet racist.

Joe

jay DEE, im not a closet racist…..im out of the closet…..go back to africa please!! ill even pay for your economy class ticket

Shogunles

Kendra:Investigations of a crime usually end when the suspects being questioned make a full confession after Miranda Rights are read. Then it is in the hands of a judge and jury. Are you suggesting detectives should keep all investigations open after implicating others and a confession is given in the off chance that they actually did not committ the crime they confessed to?
Rod in

If they’re not guilty of this, they’re guilty of some other crime. They should all be put in cages.

yuphedid

…what, and use up some of your mamas space?

darren

I say pay them for 22 years of living they can never get back $50 million is a small step in that direction as far as Im concerned.

Maybe head birther Donal d Trump should kick in since he helped to create the environment that allowed this injustice ot occur.
Dizzy 1

These so called criminals think the city owes them something.
Look at the NYPD reports and see how they were accusing
each other ,they were there.
Charles “Dashiki” Barron this is a new low for you as an
ambulance chaser for low lifes.
Guys I would not wait to long for this trial and yo’ money,lol
jessica lopez

i must say thAT THEE LAESUIT HAS TAKEN A WHILE ALREADY .
kornkill

They were guilty also. Only the arse admitted to it to let them off the hook. They’re guilty of some other crime anyway. If it wasn’t for jail, they would have starved to death.
Trishe

$50 million each is too much. I understand that they spent time in prison, but if they were out I doubt that for that period of time they would have made $50 million each. Sorry, they deserve something but not that much. Clearly its greed from them and their lawyers who will probably end up with a bulk of the money anyway.
Malcom B.Morely

50 million dollars as a claim of injury ,that’s funny.
Not if I were on that jury.
‘
Bell Toller

They were stupid enough to confess to the crime to begin with.

This is another shot at free lotto
Wilson

Kendra your not too bright….first of all the money won’t come from the police…try the taxpayer….and why did two confess and implicate the others if they didn’t do it……need I say more
HUGO

They should all be locked up in prison.

MA

What should they be imprisoned for? They’ve been exonerated! What is their crime?

Z

they were ‘wilding’ in central park and were picked up by the police.
they may have been incorrectly accused of the assault and rape of that jogger but they are guilty of other assault and robbery of people that day

kendra

i am praying that they do get some kind of money from the police department cause they wrongly accused of something that they didn,t do and and they weren,t questioines with there parents present so i strongly believe that they do have a chance to get that money ….and the cops that didn,t look into it need to be questioned and go to jail for not looking into who really did that crime at that time..

h

kendra if you graduated from any school that was a crime

Me

That was funny
jamal

omg hahahahahaha thats great h

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Men Falsely Accused In 1989 ‘Central Park Jogger’ Attack Seek Justice

April 19, 2011 10:00 PM

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