Three ex-Philadelphia detectives on trial for perjury

Three retired Philadelphia detectives are on trial for perjury related to a murder case from 2016. The detectives, Martin Devlin, Manuel Santiago, and Frank Jastrzembski, are now between 75 and 80 years old. They face potential prison time if found guilty. This case is significant as it questions police accountability in cases of wrongful convictions. The trial is linked to the exoneration of Anthony Wright, who spent 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. In 1991, an elderly woman was raped and murdered, and Wright was convicted based on a confession. However, DNA evidence later proved he was innocent. The former district attorney decided to retry Wright despite the DNA evidence. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner charged the detectives in 2021, just before the deadline to file charges expired. He accused them of lying about important evidence related to the confession and DNA issues. Devlin and Santiago both face accusations of dishonesty concerning the confession, while Jastrzembski is accused of misrepresenting evidence found at the crime scene. All three detectives have pleaded not guilty. Their legal team has sought to have the case dismissed, but the state Supreme Court has not intervened. If convicted of perjury, they could each face up to seven years in prison. The case raises broader issues about misconduct within law enforcement and the justice system.