In 1998, Aaron Dyson was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He was just 17 years old when he shot the man who murdered his best friend. He acted out of anger, and it cost him. But for the prosecutors, an aggravated assault charge with a 20-year sentence wasn’t enough.
The Accusations
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, prosecutors “charged him with engaging in organized crime and presented false evidence that Dyson was a member of the R-13 gang, which enhanced the charge and sentencing guidelines.”
While Aaron took full responsibility for the assault charge, he “vehemently” denied he was a gang member or that the shooting was gang-related.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, prosecutors “charged him with engaging in organized crime and presented false evidence that Dyson was a member of the R-13 gang, which enhanced the charge and sentencing guidelines.”
While Aaron took full responsibility for the assault charge, he “vehemently” denied he was a gang member or that the shooting was gang-related.
The Vindication
Steve Condor, an investigator in the DA’s Conviction Integrity Unit, later found that those erroneous charges came as a result of a faulty witness testimony. The case was reopened thanks to the efforts of Condor, Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson, State District Judge Mike Thomas, and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn.
During a virtual hearing in March, childhood friends of Dyson testified that he had never been a member of a gang. One of those friends was in the R-13 gang himself and said it was impossible for Dyson to be a member because he’s white.
Furthermore, the man who offered the false testimony in 1997 recounted his original statements and stated that he was only 16 when he was interviewed by police. He didn’t have the guidance of an attorney, nor his parents. “He was alone,” and he remembered feeling “pressured by the prosecution to tie the shooting to gangs…”
Now, after spending 24 years behind bars and fighting for his innocence, Aaron was released on a non-payment bond.
Steve Condor, an investigator in the DA’s Conviction Integrity Unit, later found that those erroneous charges came as a result of a faulty witness testimony. The case was reopened thanks to the efforts of Condor, Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson, State District Judge Mike Thomas, and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn.
During a virtual hearing in March, childhood friends of Dyson testified that he had never been a member of a gang. One of those friends was in the R-13 gang himself and said it was impossible for Dyson to be a member because he’s white.
Furthermore, the man who offered the false testimony in 1997 recounted his original statements and stated that he was only 16 when he was interviewed by police. He didn’t have the guidance of an attorney, nor his parents. “He was alone,” and he remembered feeling “pressured by the prosecution to tie the shooting to gangs…”
Now, after spending 24 years behind bars and fighting for his innocence, Aaron was released on a non-payment bond.
It Could Happen to Anyone
Faulty evidence, fabricated testimonies, and dishonest prosecution are all unfortunate realities that can affect anyone facing a criminal conviction. But attorney Jeff Brown is helping individuals avoid the life-changing results of such circumstances.
As a criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, Jeff has helped men and women facing a variety of charges, including assault, DWI, theft, drug possession, and more. Jeff can help you when everything is on the line.
Faulty evidence, fabricated testimonies, and dishonest prosecution are all unfortunate realities that can affect anyone facing a criminal conviction. But attorney Jeff Brown is helping individuals avoid the life-changing results of such circumstances.
As a criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, Jeff has helped men and women facing a variety of charges, including assault, DWI, theft, drug possession, and more. Jeff can help you when everything is on the line.