Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – After spending 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit, Daniel Gwynn was finally exonerated and released from state prison. The District Attorney’s Office discovered critical flaws in the 1994 investigation that led to Gwynn’s wrongful conviction for arson murder.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner expressed regret over the injustice done to Gwynn, highlighting the failures in policing and prosecution that shattered trust in the community. The case dates back to November 20, 1994, when Marsha Smith lost her life in a fire at a vacant building in West Philadelphia where she, Gwynn, and others were squatting.
During the trial, Gwynn was convicted based on unreliable witness testimony and a confession that did not align with the fire’s origin. These inconsistencies, combined with the failure to present crucial evidence about an alternate suspect, violated Gwynn’s constitutional rights. Witnesses from a separate murder investigation identified Gwynn as “Rick,” but this information was withheld from his defense.
The defense did not receive important details that could have pointed to the real culprit, leading to Gwynn’s wrongful imprisonment. The Assistant Supervisor of Federal Litigation acknowledged the harm caused to Smith’s family and stressed the need for justice to be served.
Throughout his time behind bars, Gwynn turned to art as a means of therapy and survival. His paintings, showcased on the Art For Justice website, became a form of meditation that allowed him to confront his past and work towards his release. Gwynn’s story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a flawed justice system and the importance of rectifying past wrongs.