California Man Exonerated After 32 Years in Prison

A California man who has spent over three decades in prison for a murder he did not commit was exonerated Monday, clearing the way for his release.

Joaquin Ciria, 61, was sentenced in 1990 of first-degree murder in San Fransisco, based on false witness testimony and police misconduct. San Fransisco District Attorney Chelsea Boudin dismissed the case against Ciria after a judge overturned his conviction.

Ciria was convicted of the first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the death of Felix Bastaricca, who was shot in the head in an alley following an argument.

Ciria’s case was the first exoneration prompted by the District Attorney’s Innocence Commission which was established by Boudin in 2020. An 18-month investigation by the commission revealed the police coercion of the key witness, and noted there was no DNA, fingerprints, or murder weapon found.

The timing of Ciria’s release is not yet known.