Marvin Haynes free after judge vacates murder conviction
After his release from Stillwater Prison, Marvin Haynes took the podium during the press conference, telling the room he was excited to get his life back. Photo by Azhae’la Hanson
By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter
Marvin Haynes was released from Stillwater Prison Monday after a judge exonerated him for a murder he did not commit.
Judge William Koch signed off on an agreement between Haynes and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, which sought to vacate the conviction because of a lack of physical evidence. Haynes found out on his birthday last week that he would be freed after 20 years in prison.
“I haven't cried so much in 19 years, I am overwhelmed with emotion and excited to get my life back,” Haynes said. “These people have recognized my innocence and the truth prevails.”
Haynes was convicted of first-degree murder in 2004 when he was 16 for the shooting death of North Minneapolis flower shop clerk Randy Sherer. When Haynes was first brought in for questioning, detectives falsely stated that they’d found evidence linking Haynes to the crime, but there was never any physical evidence that connected him to the murder.
His sister, Marvina, brought his case to the attention of attorneys from the Great North Innocence Project. Marvin Haynes testified during an evidentiary hearing in Koch’s courtroom in November.
“The Hennepin County Attorney's Office bears responsibility for taking almost 20 years away from Marvin Haynes and his family,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Doing the right thing sometimes means we must seek to undo the harms of the past and not defend them. And that is what we have tried to do today.”
In a press conference following his release, Haynes’ family packed into the Hennepin County Government Center in support of him. Hugs ensued after the press conference as he connected with old family members and met new ones.
“It’s a feeling you just can’t explain," said Haynes's older sister Lakisha Wright. “Time is something you can never make up, but we're going to make the best of all the time that was missed. He went in as a kid and got out as a man. We will rally around him to help him move forward and support him.”
After the press conference, Marvin embraced family members in the lobby, some of whom he had never met. Photo by Azhae’la Hanson
Jermaine Hall remembers the last time he saw Haynes, his uncle. He was four and they were sleeping in a tent together that they built in their living room.
“I was a kid,” Hall said. “And he was a kid.” Hall is now 24 years old. “I missed a lot of his life. He missed a lot of my life, we’re going to rebuild it now.”
Haynes hasn’t seen his mom in three years, it’s the first place he rushed to after the press conference.
“It took 19 years, but I’m here, and all I want to do is move forward and get my life back,” Haynes said.
A more complete story will be published in the Dec. 22 edition of North News.