Maurice Hastings, a man convicted in 1983 of murder, robbery and sexual assault, was found innocent by a California judge after serving 38 years in prison, CNN writes.

Last week, a Los Angeles judge formally found Hastings not guilty and expunged the conviction and prosecution from his record.

• “It means a lot to me. I am grateful for the judge’s decision and the apology I received.
• I am ready to live on. Now I’m a happy person,” Hastings said during a press conference after the judge’s decision.

Maurice Hastings, 69, was released from prison in October 2022 after DNA analysis from the scene of the 1983 attack led to the identification of another suspect.

According to a Los Angeles Innocence press release, he served 38 years in prison after being sentenced to life in prison for murder, robbery and sexual assault despite witnesses corroborating his alibi and at the scene there was no physical evidence to incriminate him. The project, an organization that fights for the rehabilitation of illegally convicted persons.

DNA found at the crime scene belonged to a man who died in 2020 while serving a sentence for other crimes of kidnapping and rape.

Back in 2000, Hastings requested a DNA test to prove his innocence, but his request was initially denied, according to CNN.

During the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Martha Carrillo offered a “belated apology” to Hastings on behalf of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office:

• “I am very, very sorry for the great injustice my office and the criminal justice system have done you. You can learn a lot from this.
• We are humbled by this lesson and will take it seriously.
• I know it’s not enough to say ‘sorry’ for 38 years in prison, and I understand that.”