Though Keith Roberts was released from prison in 1994, he has been fighting since then to clear his name for a crime he did not commit. With help from Fordham Law Adjunct Prof. Leonard Noisette and students from the Criminal Defense Clinic, Roberts was exonerated on Oct. 3 by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew D’Emic.
- Read 1010 WINS Radio, “Brooklyn DA to vacate 1986 murder conviction of man who pleaded guilty to avoid return to prison after successful appeal”
- Read Brooklyn Daily Eagle, “Brooklyn man becomes 40th exoneration by DA’s office after decades-old murder conviction unravels”
- Read Brooklyn Paper, “East Flatbush man’s 1986 murder conviction overturned following review by DA’s office”
- Read New York Daily News, “Brooklyn man cleared nearly 40 years after fatal shooting, despite previous desperate guilty plea”
- Read News 12 Brooklyn, “Brooklyn man exonerated 40 years after wrongful conviction”
After serving eight years of his sentence, Roberts was granted a new trial by an appeals court. However, just before the trial began, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge to avoid the risk of returning to prison.“Mr. Roberts has suffered, as most people with criminal convictions have suffered, and it has taken a serious toll on his life and that of his family,” said his attorney.