A judge threw out the conviction of a 53-year-old man who has spent the last 34 years behind bars for murder.

Kash Delano Register was sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for killing 78-year-old Jack Sasson in April of 1979. While he has always maintained his innocence, the coming forward of two sisters of a key witness is responsible for his release.

From NBC:

Linking arms with his mother, Register walked out of jail a free man Friday afternoon. He said he was looking forward to enjoying a home-cooked meal from his mother for the first time in more than three decades. Tears streamed down Register’s face in the courtroom earlier Friday as a judge revealed his conviction with would be overthrown. “He told me he just didn’t know what to feel,” said his attorney Adam Grant, who spoke to him after Thursday’s ruling. “He’s thrilled, excited, just kind of in a daze. He kept shaking his head and saying — ’34 years, 34 years.'”

Read more at NBC

Brenda Anderson, who has repeatedly changed her account of the incident, identified Register as the gunman. She testified that she had heard shots from across the street as she was about to take a shower. Register was convicted primarily on eyewitness testimony despite having an alibi that he was with his girlfriend at the time of the shooting. Anderson’s sister came forward and disclosed that the witness’ testimony pinning the crime on Register all of those years ago was a lie.

Loyola Law School’s Project for the Innocent, took on the case two years ago. The project is dedicated to the exoneration of the wrongfully convicted. Investigative work done by students who took on the case led them to believe that Register was innocent.

It may have taken 34 long years, but justice has prevailed.

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Should the witness be held responsible for her false testimony?

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