Charges dropped against student who maintained innocence at Rikers

<p>The Bronx District Attorney's Office Wednesday dropped weapon charges against Pedro Hernandez, an honor roll student who was jailed at Rikers Island for over a year even though he maintained his innocence.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 6, 2017, 2:05 PM

Updated 2,650 days ago

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The Bronx District Attorney's Office Wednesday dismissed the indictment against Pedro Hernandez, an honor roll student who was jailed at Rikers Island for over a year even though he maintained his innocence.
In a statement, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark wrote, "It is appropriate to make an application to dismiss this indictment as a matter of justice, and my office will do so today beginning at 10:30 a.m." 
Clark says the Distict Attorney's Office discovered unanticipated witness and evidentiary issues, including one of the original witnesses who was no longer cooperative and the fact that the victim was unable to identify the suspect who shot him.
Clark says the office also found the initial information provided about the investigation to be inconsistent and contradictory.
Hernandez was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, assault and reckless endangerment in connection with a shooting outside of a Bronx bodega in 2015, but has maintained his innocence.
Hernandez's case drew human rights advocacy groups to join his side in recent months, and he was able to post $250,000 bail with their help in July.
Advocates say his case echoes similarities to the case of Kalief Browder. 
Browder, a 22-year-old man who committed suicide after being jailed for three years because his family could not post his bail, was accused of stealing a backpack.
Hernandez appeared in Bronx Criminal Court Wednesday where all charges were formally dismissed.