On Jan. 3, 2002, Juan Melendez, who was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery and first-degree murder, was exonerated of the charges after spending nearly 18 years on death row. He told his story of resilience, courage and forgiveness in a lecture Thursday at the Aquinas Newman Center.
Melendez's story started on Sept. 13, 1983, when Delbert Baker closed his school of cosmetology in rural Florida never to arrive home. He was found dead the next morning.
On Sept. 20,1984, Melendez was found guilty of his murder. The very next day, he was sentenced to the death penalty.
He said he spent the next 17 years, eight months and one day on the state's death row for a crime he didn't commit.
Melendez said the lecture, sponsored by UNM's School of Law and the New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty, was his chance to use his freedom to inform people of why the death penalty should be abolished.
Melendez said he hoped his story would raise questions about why New Mexico has a death penalty and about how and if the justice system works.
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Cathy Ansheles, coordinator for the New Mexico Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty, said that she hopes people will try to get Melendez's message and think twice about their choices on the death penalty.
"We want more people across New Mexico to hear Juan Melendez's story so that they can inform themselves about the issues involved with putting people to death," Ansheles said.
Melendez spoke about his lack of legal defense and his lack of knowledge of the English language as reasons why he wasn't able to make appeals through the legal system.
Melendez was cleared of all charges after a tape containing a confession by the real murderer, James Vernon, surfaced.
Melendez claimed his defense and the prosecution had the tape in their possession at the time of his indictment.
Even with the evidence proving him innocent, he was sentenced to death.
During his nearly 18 years in prison, he was given an inmate education from his peers. With that, he was able to win his freedom on his third and final appeal.
Melendez pleaded with the crowd to become involved in the abolishment of the death penalty to prevent further stories like his from happening.
"My mother spent 17 years, eight months and one day on her knees praying for a miracle," he said. "Do we want more mothers to go through that? Do we want more families suffering?"
