1. The murder

2. Dateline NBC investigation

3. Jon-Adrian in the Media

4. References

The murder

Retired NYPD officer Albert Ward was murdered during an attempted robbery of an illegal gambling establishment in Harlem, New York on January 27, 1998. Ward was involved in the running of the establishment at the time. Witnesses initially claimed that the two assailants were both black, and that the shooter was a black man with braids.^[4] Velazquez is Latino and had short hair at the time.

Dateline NBC investigation

Beginning around 2002, Velazquez wrote letters to Dateline producer Dan Slepian,^[2] after hearing about another one of Slepian's documentaries that resulted in getting another conviction overturned. Dateline producers began an investigation that lasted ten years, tracking down and interviewing witnesses and others involved in the case.^[5]

Velazquez contends that he was speaking on the phone with his mother at the time of the murder, a claim that is supported by phone records showing a call between Velazquez's residence and his mother. The prosecution contended that it was his girlfriend on the phone at the time. One witness who testified in court incorrectly identified a juror instead of Velazquez when asked to point out the perpetrator. Other witnesses were a heroin addict and his drug dealer. Velazquez was initially identified in the case by presenting one of the witnesses with hundreds of images of people previously convicted of unrelated crimes.^[5]

The broadcast about Velazquez's case aired nationally on NBC on February 12, 2012 and was nominated for three Emmy awards.^[6]

The broadcast sparked a review of Velazquez's case by the Manhattan District Attorney's Conviction Integrity Unit.^[5] On April 5, 2013, the unit decided to let the conviction stand.^[7] In response to the DA's unwillingness to further pursue his bid for innocence, on May 2, 2013 his legal council officially files a motion 440 with the court in New York City.^[8]

On December 5, 2014, Velazquez 440 motion—his request to have a hearing—was denied. He has appealed

.http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/ive-been-dragged-through-gates-hell-says-man-jailed-murder-n272071

On June 27, 2017, Velazquez once again entered a 440 motion due to newly discovered documents that were never provided by the District Attorney's office to his original defense. This "Brady Material" was the basis for his new motion and as late as November 2017 even more undisclosed documents pertinent to his defense were discovered. His next court hearing is scheduled for December 7, 2017

Jon-Adrian in the Media

Jon-Adrian has many dedicated followers who maintain web presences on both Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FreeJonAdrian and his own website at: http://www.freejonadrianvelazquez.org/

The maintainers regularly post news and information there.

References

• Henry Morgan's Great Talent Hunt
• Henry Morgan Taylor
• Henry Morgan Taylor (cricketer)
• Henry Morgenthau III
• Henry Morland
• Henry Morley Kidgell
• Henry Morris (MP)
• Henry Morrison Flagler
• Henry Morris Upcher
• Henry Morse Stephens
• Henry Morshead
• Henry Mort
• Henry Mortlock
• Henry Morton (Australian politician)
• Henry Morton (politician)
• Henry Moseley (mathematician)
• Henry Moseley (scientist)
• Henry Moses (disambiguation)
• Henry Moses (engraver)
• Henry Moses (politician)
• Henry Moses Wood
• Henry Moskowitz
• Henry Moskowitz (disambiguation)
• Henry Moskowitz (real estate investor)
• Henry Motego