Crown Heights man has conviction overturned decades after serving 14-year sentence
According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office, evidence showed that wrongfully convicted defendant Steven Ruffin was misidentified as the victim's shooter.
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A man from Crown Heights who was convicted for manslaughter in 1996 had his conviction overturned on Thursday.
Newly developed evidence was discovered, which the defense says had it been available at the time of the trial, the defendant, 45-year-old Steven Ruffin, may have been acquitted.
Ruffin was sentenced to 14 years after he was wrongfully convicted for manslaughter in an incident that led to the death of James Deligney. Ruffin was 17 years old at the time of his sentencing and was paroled in 2010.
According to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office, evidence showed that Ruffin was misidentified as Deligney’s shooter.
Gonzalez added that an active investigation is now ongoing for Ruffin’s sister’s then-boyfriend who they believe may be the real person responsible for the 1996 shooting.
