Bail for ‘killer’ after key witness recants
PORTLAND, Maine: The key witness in a murder that sent a teenage boy to prison for 27 years recanted on Thursday and accused authorities of coercing her testimony.
The stunning declaration led a judge to set bail in the case, drawing a gasp from the packed courtroom and sending the defendant’s wife to her knees.
Tony Sanborn, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend, 16-year-old Jessica Briggs, dropped his head into his hands in apparent disbelief after Hope Cady testified that as a 13-year-old she was pressured by police and prosecutors into identifying Sanborn as the killer.
“They basically told me what to say,” Cady said.
Justice Joyce Wheeler said she’ll have further proceedings before deciding whether to grant a motion to set aside the conviction and order a new trial.
She set bail at $25 000 (about R335 000), which Sanborn’s family and friends posted to get him released.
“Quite frankly, I wouldn’t want to go forward on a case based on her testimony,” Justice Wheeler told the courtroom before setting bail.
“It has been conceded that she is and was a material witness in this case. She’s the only eyewitness in this case.”
Cady said she had juvenile charges against her at the time, and authorities threatened to send her away for years. She said her vision wasn’t good enough for her to be able to make out what happened. It was later tested at 20/200, poor enough to be considered legally blind.
Information about her vision was never provided to Sanborn’s defence team.
Cady’s stunning admission came in a courtroom packed with Sanborn’s supporters, including family members and friends.
Sanborn’s wife, Michelle, sank to her knees and wept after the ruling as others huddled with her. “I just want to thank Justice Wheeler for being a woman of compassion and for doing the right thing, and giving me faith in our system,” she said.
Sanborn, now 44, had insisted over the years that he didn’t kill Briggs. He entered the courtroom with tears in his eyes as the packed courtroom erupted in an ovation. – ANA-AP