You are reading

Queens District Attorney Has Reopened 10 Cases of Possible Wrongful Conviction

District Attorney Melinda Katz (Katz for DA)

May 6, 2020 By Allie Griffin

The Queens District Attorney’s office, which opened a unit to investigate potential wrongful convictions in January, announced yesterday that it has reopened 10 such cases.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz established the Conviction Integrity Unit when she took office on January 1 — making good on one of her earliest campaign promises.

Staff members are now actively re-investigating the 10 cases, Katz said. They are performing a ground-up reevaluation of each case, interviewing new witnesses and using cutting-edge DNA technology and forensic testing where possible.

The unit — headed by Bryce Benjet of the Innocence Project — will make recommendations for exoneration if someone is found to be wrongfully convicted.

In just four months, 46 cases have been submitted to the Conviction Integrity Unit, Katz said. Ten of those cases are the ones being re-investigated, while the others have been withdrawn from further consideration or have been referred to other jurisdictions or bureaus. Six have been closed — but the office hasn’t revealed the decision made in those cases.

“No one is perfect. No system is without flaws. And we know, without a doubt, that mistakes can happen, resulting in a miscarriage of justice,” District Attorney Katz said. “It is vitally important to have a Unit that is dedicated to reviewing credible cases and empowered to make recommendations on anyone who should be exonerated if found to be wrongfully convicted.”

Katz announced that she has recently appointed Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexis Celestin, a prosecutor last with the Westchester DA’s Office, to the team and that she will add more attorneys and investigators to the unit in the coming months.

“Our entire criminal justice system is built on the belief that one is innocent until proven guilty,” Katz said. “But if someone is wrongfully convicted that undermines the faith we all have in our criminal justice system.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Ozone Park man indicted for kidnapping and assault of 11-year-old girl in Forest Park: DA

A Queens grand jury indicted an Ozone Park man for abducting an 11-year-old girl in Forest Park and sexually assaulting her before the victim’s father intervened in May.

Teddy Moussignac, 44, of 102nd Street, was arraigned Friday in Queens Supreme Court on a seven-count indictment charging him with kidnapping, assault, two counts of sexual assault in the first degree, and other related crimes.

From spa retreats to public pools: Queens has a swim spot for everyone

Jun. 13, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With temperatures rising and the official start of summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to find a pool in Queens to help you beat the heat. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa escape, a rooftop party spot, or a free afternoon swim in your neighborhood, Queens offers a range of pool experiences for every vibe and budget.

Outdoor bars and beer gardens to enjoy this summer in Queens

Jun. 11, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With sunsets past 8 p.m. and temperatures on the rise, now is the perfect time to grab a drink or a bite outdoors and soak in the sights and sounds of Queens. Whether you’re catching up with friends after work or planning a weekend brunch, the borough is filled with beer gardens, rooftop lounges, and patio spots to make the most of the season.