3 minute read
Not guilty after 17 years
Freed man speaks out after wrongfully accused
Michaia Hernandez / Roundup
After being sentenced to the electric chair, the inmate walked the stage at Pierce College.
Juan Melendez was sentenced to death on Nov. 2, 1984, after being wrongly accused and convicted of murder and armed robbery by the state of Florida. He was incarcerated for 17 years, eight months and a day.
It was 16 years after his conviction that evidence implicating the real killer surfaced. The evidence was in the form of a taped confession, and it was later discovered that the prosecutor had knowingly withheld this proof.
On Jan. 3, 2002, Melendez was released from Union Correctional Institute with only the clothes on his back and $100 as compensation from the state. He still hasn’t received an official apology from the state of Florida.
His March 15 presentation commenced with a screening of the trailer of “Juan Melendez 6446,” a documentary that recounts his true story by way of accounts given by Melendez, his mother, lawyers and friends.
“I am not a killer,” he said as he began his narrative. “My momma didn’t raise a killer.”
For a large part of his presentation, Melendez gave a first-hand account of what it felt like to be constantly reminded, through the dwindling numbers of fellow prisoners, of his then-impending fate.
“You knew the exact moment that someone was being executed because the lights would flicker on and off,” he recalled.
He also talked about his feelings as he was led out of prison and his conflicting emotions in leaving behind over 17 years worth of friendship and brotherhood with his fellow convicts.
“I was saved not by the system, but in spite of the system,” said Melendez, a devout Catholic. “I was saved by the grace of God.”
Melendez and criminal defense attorney Julie Caruso jointly answered questions from attendees in a short question-and-answer portion following the presentation.
Many student attendees voiced their appreciation for the event.
“A lot aren’t aware of the legal system and how its works,” said 52-year-old criminal justice major Carole Michaux. The event was headed by Four Corners Co-op, a Pierce College club dedicated to bringing awareness to students on issues concerning social justice, environment conservation, and overall health and wellness.
“This is the kind of thing that our club stands for,” said club president Kyle Morris.
Refreshments worth a dollar each were sold by the club throughout the entire event.
“Part of the proceeds will be donated as part of Melendez’ honorarium,” said Four Corners Co-op co-founder Nam Tran during a recent club meeting.
Tram added that though Melendez originally asked for $250 to speak, he did agree on $175. The club wanted to give at least a $200 stipend.
“Kathy Oborn, an advisor for the club, is donating $100 for his payment,” he said. “And the French Club is also chipping in.”
When questioned about the honorarium, Caruso readily explained its necessity in Melendez’ and her pursuit of justice in the legal system.
“It’s literally just the two of us,” said Caruso. “There isn’t an organization of any sort backing us up whenever we do these events.”
She added that the honorariums are “the only way they are able to survive,” and that they are currently looking for a private sponsor to back them up financially.
“It would be great to have somebody of influence helping us with our cause,” she said.
