The Exoneration of Thaddeus Jimenez

[Hperman09]

Our justice system really needs to be fixed up. Humans are flawed and not perfect.

[1stworlder]

Funny the yahoo newsite that linked to this vid had "However, last December, Jimenez was convicted on drug possession charges and could be headed back to prison for up to three years. He sentencing is scheduled for February 1, according to CBS News."

Guess he wasn't inna cent even if he didn't kill this one.

[1stworlder]

@1stworlder It was distribution weight LSD . They also got him with digital scales, baggies, several stolen GPS devices, 3 illegal guns, several hundred rounds of ammunition, etc. Not exactly a pure-as-the-driven-snow kinda guy.

[lamatonargvtrucks]

its like being kidnapped for 16 years....because innocent people get kidnapped.

[alejandroomi]

Thank God that there are good people in America that will fight for Justice and Right. I wish they interview those that committed this judicial atrocity: the Judge – the Jury - the State Attorney – the Police! They must be quite sober now.

[JC4crs]

CONGRATULATION TO THE CENTER ON WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

As a Civil Rights activist we fight continuously for the rights of people.

This outcome is really fantastic. This is really meaningful to the people who KNOW, like us.

Again, Congratulations!! and we stand in solidarity.

BTW: in Nevada There is another major injustice upon a young woman. Search for Kirstin LOBATO Convicted on nothing but circumstantial evidence and vague similarities of 2 different incidents. different places

[Tirk82]

this is bs. should have left the dirty mexican to rot in prison

[JC4crs]

@Tirk82 They should RAILROAD your RACIST MAGGOT ASS instead and Leave YOU in there for life.

YOU RACIST INBRED HILLBILLY REDNECK. Fucking RETARD

[1stworlder]

@JC4crs this inna cent man is going back to jail However, last December, Jimenez was convicted on drug possession charges and could be headed back to prison for up to three years. He sentencing is scheduled for February 1, according to CBS News.

[msLuckycharm23]

well that was heart breaking

[luciojamestan]

he must have been butt raped by those convicts inside and the only thing he can do is smoke weed to escape reality. It is the government, judge and police fault. see his pic when he was 13 yrs old, he looks like a kid who doesn't deserve this but now prison ate his soul. view his 13 yr old pic at vvvv 3Dpaparazzi c☻m/tj

[ELFERNANDO17]

I believe that there are still so many innocent persons being charged with horrendous crimes. There's few stories I've heard of where men like TJ are given the lethal injection, and just before the injection the last words they say are "I didn't do it". Who knows how many innocent people are imprisoned out there.

[ELFERNANDO17]

i hope he lives the good life now

[MrBillcale]

i have no faith in our justice system, i am am so angry and disgusted and wonder who the real criminals are..

[smithraze]

Shouldnt his mom also be able to sue the city for taking her child away?? the kid was only 13 a minor!!

[InspectorWobbuffet]

Too bad he now has drug possession charges and may be going back in for a few years

[ImmaGinyu]

@InspectorWobbuffet Yep, that goes to show you how innocent he really is. He commits a crime anyway.

Then again, if you were locked up for half your life with a bunch of cons and thugs I guess you wouldn't be coming out so pure and innocent, either.

[agenthelios1]

HAd he never gone to prison he would have never made that kind of money and probably would be working at a burger joint. SHIT....I will wpend 16 years in prison if afterwards they awarded me $25 Million!

[xxakli]

@agenthelios1 spoken like a person of "the type of mentality of inmates (convicts as they like to be called)" and would not mind being there, or someone who has never spent a day in prison. If you have not been there, you have NO idea, I am speaking from 5 years experience. It is hell and the worst part is the "convicts" and "their ways".

[agenthelios1]

@xxakli I understand what prison is like and the "mentality" Its like a free for all jungle. The COs are only there to babysit and get there paycheck. Its a survival mentality daily...some people have it, some dont and the ones that dont get raped and taken advantage of. You just have to keep yourself clean in there otherwise a 5 year can end up with 20 in extra bullshit charges.

[tonnerrealg]

The american judicial system is a mean careless monster whose reigns are held by careless, merciless, and outlaws prosecutors, whose only worry is to win the case. If really people care about justice in this country, they should demand that the justice must be reversed to go after those corrupt prosecutors, and jail them the same sentence they asked for the wrongfully convicted victim. What kind of justice that convict a 13 year old child for 45 years. But a 13 is not allowed to buy cigarettes.

[artthemusicman1]

Great Job Steve! I am sure there are others with the same issues and are behind bars with little or no hope of ever leaving. Keep up the great work!

[Croatch]

You'd think with a 30 million dollar settlement, you'd have better lighting:) Congratulations on the case though.

[irvingklaw57]

And after all that hard work to get him out, he gets arrested on drug charges and may face up to 3 years in prison...

[elyricc]

CHECK ME OUT TOO!!!

[kaboomjones]

Glad Mr. Jimenez got out and true justice in that case was served. That being said, this guy's an idiot, apparently he was later arrested in Dec'11 for having drugs on him. Really dude? You're gonna do illegal things after you just got out of prison and are suddenly a millionaire? You don't think the police is gonna watch you for a while, either? Whatever, I'm just glad the legal system corrected itself.

[mike657765]

@kaboomjones

Of course he's going to do something stupid. He spent half his life in prison knowing he was innocent and probably saw some fucked up things. Then, after 16 years of adapting to prison, he's released to a completely different world. Do you think someone who grew up with criminals is going to know how to act on the outside? He probably did illegal things because those are the people he's used to.

I wish the courts did more to help people like him adapt to life outside of prison...

[xxakli]

@kaboomjones He went in at 13 yrs old, I am sure he probably learned to do drugs in there (they are everywhere in there) and I can imagine being innocent was some sort of an escape from the living hell of a nightmare he unjustly found himself in.

[themileybomb]

My girlfriend is mahalia jimenez lmao thats her godfather

[vibradiant]

Very touching and upsetting story, but also very limited in information. Why was TJ even arrested to begin with? What evidence was used to convict him? In the absence of corroborating testimony from the co-defendant, what what the case against him?

I ask not out of doubt, but in confusion that so much of the video was aimed at showing the emotions around the crime of wrongful imprisonment, but not much about the mechanics of how it happened.

Playing on emotion w/o info is sketchy at best.

[vibradiant]

@vibradiant

And given that the actual murderer was also 13 at the time does cast doubt on the notion that the problem is trying a child as an adult. Sounds like the real problem was the miscarriage of justice.

[XXmahaliaXX]

hi. im mahalia jimenez, thaddeus jimenez's goddaughter and cousin. i love tj and i know that he is a good man. he was done wrong once by the city of chicago and that was corrected. but sadly now the city of chicago has done him wrong once again. tj deserves to be out and he has every right to charge them for what they have done to him. chicago doesnt think so but one day tj will meet justice and i pray that day comes soon. everyone loves you tj and miss you and i know u will b ok. <3

[MrJDW123]

This is an amazing video so many people get wrongly accused of a crime they didnt commit and I believe it should have been do sooner but glad he is out and living his life and 13 year olds should never be prosectued in an adults court and hopefully Justice systems around the world will look at the evidence carefully be passing the sentence at 13 years old most teenagers are discovering who they are and they should never be locked up when their inocent cuz the cld have long term effects

[Zurround100]

There needs to be a TV movie based on this or maybe even a THEATRE movie, they would need to find similar looking actors to play him at different ages but it could be done. Also, I maintain that this man should be awarded several million dollars restitution, at least a full million for EACH YEAR though sixteen million does not feel like enough. I read that he got 200 grand.

[rmrnation]

i chill with TJ and hes living it up man

[Zurround100]

Does anybody know if he was awarded restitution? I read that he received an insulting 200 grand, which is WAY too little for ruining his teen years and almost his entire 20s, sixteen years of his life and he gets one fifth of one million dollars? People have been awarded WAY MORE than that in sexual harrassment lawsuits.

[Zurround100]

as far as I am concerned this kid should be awarded about a hundred million dollars restitution from the state.

[moonglow38]

This doesn't does nothing to help us feel like we can trust the court system ..or that if our children are accused of something we can trust them to find the truth! Instead it sounds like our kids don't have a chance...its extremely frightening! I have a 14 year old son..he would be emotionally ruined if he was put in adult prison. This whole thing is just sickening. It sounds like they can just go pick up any kid and pin a conviction on them. Talk about abuse!

[Diablo5074]

this is sad. im 13 and i cant even imagine all the stuff he missed out on

[NoLongerRepublican]

Great video! What a HORRIBLE thing! It makes you wonder how many innocent guys are on death row.

The volume is a little low, though.

[bojedis]

More wrongful convictions.

watch?v=ynR1sB3E4Xc

[Jugglettleforlife12]

thats my older brother i love that dude SSSOOOO much i have never ment him but ive talk to him on the phone

[redbrest]

Tell him Merry Christmas, same to U

[PaniccBeatchh]

its really sad to know a prosecuter can bring in evidence rather right or wrong to prove guilt but will over rule evidence that proves innocence how can some one throw away an innocent life just to get something out of the way and have no remorse and its sad to say you'll hear about a prosecuter winning a conviction in the news but you will never hear about a wrongful conviction and the people responsible for stealing this persons life and how they lied to the victims family

[PaniccBeatchh]

its so sad that a prosecuter can still a life from a 13yr old younge man and not have any remorse and the poor families that are being hurt behind this its sad you cant give back the time losed and my condolence to the family that thought this night mare was over the true criminals are the prosecuter and the detectives involved in this they should serve the 16yrs for stealing this kids life and for lying to the victims family

[norm0216]

I hope Illinois has to pay through the nose to make up for this extreme miscarriage of justice.

[HughFromAlice]

This is really really chilling because it could happen to anyone - me or you..... tomorrow 16 years..........

You guys at Northwestern are brilliant - good luck in your future cases.

To hear a mother's tears at 16 years lost is heart rending

Good luck TJ - as a new chapter opens, look to the future and enjoy.

[bush53]

This shows a complete breakdown in the judicial system. What happened during trial? What did the defense present? What did the DA have to say? Was there Brady evidence they did not disclose?

This is just sad... and the for the jury to find there was no reasonable doubt shows how people do not understand what "reasonable doubt" means...

[jdawg773]

alot has changed since 93'

DONT TRUST ANYBODY

[jshintoth]

All the major players in this wrongful conviction at the prosecutors office should all be jailed . They stole 16 years of that man's life, I wouldn't know what I would have done had I been in Mr. Jimenez's position. What the prosecutors did here was seriously criminal. My best wishes to Mr. Jimenez, I hope the government gives him all that is owed to him.

[politicalfarce]

Good luck TJ! Enjoy catching up on the internet, cell phones, digital cameras, etc.

Don't watch Matrix 2, it sucked!

[Vorax07]

LoL

[radecal]

Thank you ALL for the Hard Work for TJ and others! I don't know how you deal with the system that does not care about justice. Does it seem like there is a presumption of guilt?

[shell8832]

As of right now all Mr. Jimenez will be receiving is 135,000 unless he decides to sue that cops and the cook county.

Thats what me and my family were told when he was first released anyway.

[odhe1lo]

It's obvious there was some very shoddy police work in this case. I hope that Mr. Jimenez will receive some compensation so that he can go to college if he wishes and begin to rebuild his life.

[SapphireH]

Thank you for the work you do. And thank you for sharing this story with us. So much needs to change in our judicial system - your work will help bring about that change.  Someone needs to care, and it's clear your organization does. Hats off to all of you and best wishes to TJ and his family.

[assthunder]

sick country

[lostphenoix]

Srry hte "go" should be "God" :O)

[ZoonicDeHedgehoog]

USA is a perverted vendictive and moralist society. I despise how they deal with criminals.

However, if you want effective punishment, look at China.

USA has a system constructed by small minded and perverse people. I truly and honestly despise that country and I am NOT a palestine-hugging leftist.

[wolfintheforest]

in USA you got a lot of gunfight kills between latin & black gangs, that's why justice's so hard. you got a lot of youths serving life sentences in US prisons. I think it's all because of racism.

[ZoonicDeHedgehoog]

I think it's because it's a big country and they have a tradition of people taking care of themselves with little or no help from a central government, historically speaking.

The small man, the little man, the perverted and warped religious and primitive people, created the american system while modern northern/western Europe have systems created after WW2 as centralized, modern and humane.

[Regnet35]

And because anyone can get guns

[aaneton]

USA is crazy, In Northern Europe even if he would have killed the guy he would have gotten a lighter sentence than 16 years. Also Youth is here directed to foster homes and psychic care, not prison, if they commit crimes as young.

[victor190779]

It is when I hear stories like this, that I want judges and prosecutors, who participate in this kind of sham, put behind bars for a long, long time.

The law should also make it possible to pass every single cent, these individuals ever made, to the innocent people they have put behind bars.

[shell8832]

My name is Michelle

Eric Morro is my uncle and he is the man who was gunned down in this case

Thankfully TJ is out of prison because he did not commit the crime and neither me or my family hold a grudge against him

But for 16 years this is the man we thought killed Eric

You must realize how hard it is for my family to have to relive all of this all over again but its also relieving to finally have rightful justice We are glad he is out but its hard to believe we believed a lie for 16 years

[wrongfulconvictions]

I'm sorry for your family's loss.

[shell8832]

Thank you so much.

When he expressed his condolences on his press conference it really hit the heart.

My family is grateful that he is out and the right person will soon be put to justice.

[wrongfulconvictions]

Thank you for all your family has done. I know your family's cooperation made it a lot easier to exonerate TJ and to bring the real murderer to justice.

[shell8832]

I know and we do feel bad that this man had to go through all he did..

But im glad hes out and I pray for the best for him in his first few months in the real world

[cabulhusn]

Your family is a victim of the judicial system. They don't want justice, they want to close the case.

[shell8832]

Excuse me.

Who are you to tell me what my family wants.

You loose a child and tell me that you dont want the person who really did it brought in for the crime.

Dont tell me that my family doesnt want justice you ignorant ass.

[ZOMBEHZOMG]

Hes not talking about you, hes talking about the system that sent him to jail.

[cabulhusn]

I never said you don't want justice. Of course you do. I said the system does not seek justice. I want justice for my son too. But putting this innocent boy in jail for 16 years did not bring any justice only more pain for more people. i want the police to put all the evidence out there. They pick and choose if it fits the person they are trying to convict. I am sorry if i hurt you in any way.

[odhe1lo]

Your statement is so powerful. I am glad for you that the true criminal will soon face justice. You have my condolences, and I hope that one day soon you and your family will find peace. I'm sure Mr. Jimenez knows that his incarceration is not your fault, but that of a botched investigation.

[saludahead]

@shell8832 So! neither you or your family hold a grudge against an innocent man who spent 16 years of his life starting at 13 years old for a murder he didn't commit? How VERY magnanimous of you!

The Police live to take files from the "Open" drawer, and put them in the "Closed" drawer. If they have to lock up an innocent 13 year old child to do it, then so be it! They will lie, steal, kill, plant evidence, or anything else they can to achieve this end! Sorry to be the one to break it to you

[flimmaker04]

@shell8832 If anything your family should be scrutinez you assisted in taking away this mans childhood shame on your for having the lynch mob mentality all of your family should do time

[teerodriguez36]

@shell8832 I'm really sorry for your loss. The family of the victim on my brothers case was allowed to confront my brother and tell him they hope he rots in jail. My brother is another victim of the corrupt CPD framed for a murder in 95 he didn't commit and sentenced to 90 years. The things the family said were harsh however the CPD also led them to believe my brother was the killer of their family member just like your family. We continue our fight for his innocence 16 years later!

[Tirk82]

@shell8832 you dumb whore. suck my cock

[elsauers]

Stay strong TJ. Congrats to the amazing work of CWC and Katten attorneys.

[NoEvil777]

After I was touched watching this, I became so angry! Who were the police and prosecutors in this case! They deserve a life sentence! Yes he is free, but where is Justice? Only in CROOK County. Please God, send judgement upon this corrupt and evil legal system in Crook county so no one else has to suffer at the hands of those who are blinded by hate and corruption. Crook County has been the eyesore of the entire country. It's time to pluck it out.

[cabulhusn]

This is happening everywhere not just Cook County. Where is the justice in our country when someone can be convicted on such little evidence?

[hammerhackers]

Wow, that made me weep. Thank goodness for good people in this world keeping the faith and looking for the truth!

[wordsmithnw]

TJ and Vicki, I can't tell you how amazing it was for me to watch you on this video. I always knew the truth and I always believed in you. I can't wait to see you both. Your favorite journalist :) - Carolyn

[lostphenoix]

A huge thanks to the Lawyers and attorneys whom worked endlessly for the innocence that took 17 yrs to prove......... godblesss............... and lets spread the words about this video.... lets get worlds recognition

[cabulhusn]

This is happening to other kids too. Get the word out, save the lives of the kids in the system now.

[lostphenoix]

"In the bible it states that the Lord has a plan for you, plans to give you a future and a hope".. and in the times of true essence of time and innocence, things happens beyond our power and amazing things come true.... godbless...... much love Makowski/Jimenez family.. and congratz T.J your cuzo... Manuel