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Man exonerated after serving 6 years for murder

<p>A Bronx man who served the first six years of a 25 years to life prison sentence had his name cleared in court Wednesday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 25, 2017, 4:25 PM

Updated 2,602 days ago

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A Bronx man who served the first six years of a 25 years to life prison sentence had his name cleared in court Wednesday.
Steven Odiase, 32, had been convicted of murder in the shooting death of 15-year-old Juan Jerez in 2009. A court ordered his release in April after the Bronx district attorney's Conviction Integrity Unit reviewed his case. 
During the review, the unit found a detective's form given to Odiase's defense team lacked key information -- a witness's description of the suspect did not match Odiase.
But despite his freedom, the murder conviction remained on his record until Wednesday's decision exonerated him, sealed the case and dismissed the charge.
"I want to thank (Bronx District Attorney) Darcel Clark, who took a second look in this case and did the right thing," Odiase said after his court appearance.
Another man has also been convicted of the shooting.