Daniel Villegas, now 41, returns to a courtroom for the third time to face murder charges. Some background on his case: the charges Villegas is facing date back to 1993, when Armando “Mando” Lazo and Bobby England were gunned down in El Paso, Texas. Villegas was 16 years old at the time. He then confessed to those shootings, but later claimed he was coerced by an El Paso police officer into a confession. Villegas had a mistrial in 1994 due to a hung jury, then a conviction in his second trial in 1995.
Why would we want to see more trials like this?! This is not heartwarming its infuriating. An innocent person spent 25 years in jail...and you say heartwarming smh
@Dootie Well obviously it would be case dependent. This case, the cop was proven to have coerced him into a confession thus giving him 25 years of jail time, stealing 25 years of his life.
@Dootie No the police unions are responsible for crappy police work not accountability...its the utter lack of it just like a teacher they are almost impossible to fire in most populace precincts atleast. Derek Chauvin had 11 serious complaints and still had a badge because of his union protecting him. If elected officials either the mayor or sheriff were solely responsible for the staff hired you'd see a massive change in quality and if not you fire them at the ballot office until it comes.
@@mike856ms Yeah, but he was not talking about prisons, was he? He was talking about jury system. And from what I gathered, all they had against this guy was, that he was boasting that he did it. Confessions are important, but you cannot send someone to prison based only on his confession. Not in the civilized world, at least.
Paul F Number one, I don’t belong to a union. Number two, there have been 2000 exonerations since 1989; 166 death row exonerations since 1973. Anyone who talks to the police without a lawyer being present is taking their life in their hands. But you can feel free to do so.
I once had a minor issue with the law for traffic violations and I ended up in jail. My attorney always reminded me: Do not trust police, they're not your friends, keep your mouth shut at all times and ask for an attorney. They will take anything out of contest. Good cops do not exist and if they do they are very few. I've always followed his advise from then on and I'll continue doing it.
It's incredible to think how many people in the US are in jail, or have been executed because of the long history of bad police and a broken legal system.
Leoimvideo..........That sure sucks.......just to think of how this system of justice, has badly tarnished over the decades or years of bad political views of the American legal system 😳. Sending my heart warming condolences.......to the Villegas family 👪 and to Mr Villegas himself........God bless you sir!!
Yeah, actually not many Skippy. Thats why we hear about the very few who have been wrongfully jailed. I can tell you are young ...about 10 years from now you will smarten up
@@johnreidy2804 hmmm I wonder why it may be we don’t hear much about people being wrongfully convicted. Maybe it has something to do with judges, jury’s, cops, lawyers, etc. not wanting to admit they’re wrong
@@drakebell5649 You might have had a bad experience with a Police Officer at some point in your life. Maybe you were right, maybe you were wrong. Either way your judgment has become colored. Then again you might just hate authority like many young people who don't understand it. There were over 10 million arrests last year and out of that great number only about 2,000 complaints on those arrests. That is 0.0002%. And no doubt many of those complaints were bogus. Facts from the US Justice Department.
I told my husband the same thing! They usually say to keep outbursts and emotions to themselves while the verdict is read. Finally, a judge who realizes the gravity of injustice and the emotional need to react... to release what's been bottled up. Its therapeutic and was not only a beautiful moment to watch, but allows the prosecutors a taste of what horrors they created in so many lives. I hope they felt that emotional release in their bones! ...and I pray it stays with them while they continue tossing people into cages for unfathomable lengths of time!!
The real sad and frightening part is that it could happen to you or me tomorrow. I am glad the truth has come out and hope the guy can hold his head high and enjoy the rest of his life.
25 million to be exact 12.5 for the years. 12.5 for damages one guy did 18 years wrongful accusations and he got 18 million or double that I cant really remember
OMG, that poor man. I thought he was going to have a heart attack before the judge announced the verdict. I can't even imagine the stress and fear that he must have been feeling. I'm so glad that he was cleared and can now slowly put his life back together. Good luck Daniel.
LO MISMO,pensé yo...,ÉSO,PUEDE suceder perfectamente...,ante TANTO estrés,ansiedad,miedo,etc...,así que,ESPERO,le INDEMNICEN con una cifra MILLONARIA,por TANTO daño CAUSADO!...
Thank God for the lawyers who give their blood, sweat and tears to fight for justice for the wrongfully convicted. God Bless Mr. Villegas and his family.
I truly hope and pray this man will on on to a ablessed road of peace, happiness and joy and a beautiful life of love and many many blessing. God knows he has a lot of catching upto do. May he be surrounded by good and loving people forever.
Can we acknowledge that a retrial means the prosecutors fought tooth and nail to keep this man behind bars despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary?
crazy thing is that the prosecution harass people to take pleas (by scheduling them at court during working hours so they lose their jobs). "accept a lesser charge and this will all stop" when they fully know the person is innocent, they ruin people's lives to get points (the more convictions, the better for their career) and yet, you'll probably see them at church as if they had a clean conscience.
@@adhhe77 As far as bad prosecutors go they are scumbags without shame. That is a quality that grows on you in the dark, dank catacombs of our criminal justice system, immunity from hypocrisy.
Violet Joy you can t understand it before you have experienced the pressure of being asked the same questions in 50 different ways and pressed with lies and treats for hours being denied lawyer ,the Homicide detectives are highly trained in breaking people down ,always get a lawyer ,talking with cops alone is never a Good thing espesialy when only 16 years old
@@beverlybalius9303 Texas already has a law on the books that allows defendants who were wrongfully convicted to sue for damages. Since he was wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years, and in the process, they took the best years of his life, they could be looking at a hefty sum.
May Yah be with him and keep him safe, well and free. He was so blessed this day. Well deserved! Law enforcement officers involved in this case should take a long hard look at themselves.
@@Ajent.99 Sadly, he was left in his own in prison for 25 years. Robbery of a life. It seems that some innocent people don't think of getting an attorney because they don't have anything to hide. 💔
Actually, that's not true. THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SILENCE The Right to Remain Silent The “right to remain silent” is well-known to anyone who watches movies or TV shows about police, but the constitutional rights that the statement represents are not always very well understood. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects people from being compelled to give testimony that could incriminate them. This is not the same as saying that a person has a right to silence at all times. In some situations, police may use silence itself as incriminating evidence. The Supreme Court has held that police must stop questioning suspects once they assert their right to counsel, but it has also held that a person must affirmatively invoke the right to silence.
MOST people dont know or understand the Constitution,, because it is not taught in school anymore,,, DemonCraps are in control of the teachers,,, ole USN vet and Texan til i die
I wasn’t expecting to get as emotional as I did... but seeing him looking like he was going to pass out and collapsed, then the relief and eruption of joy in the court room just made me tear up. I got chills
Congratulations Mr. Villegas, enjoy your freedom with your loving family. The judge in this case should also be acknowledged for gracefully allowing the emotional outburst that clearly could not be controlled and NOT demanding 'order in the court' as I have seen many do in these videos. He's also the first person to comment on jury duty in a way that actually makes me question my position of never wanting to be on a jury.
Frank piknimena II would you expect him not to speak well? I often hear this “compliment” directed towards people of color regardless of what position he or she may hold. I’m often told this also and I find it a bit insulting.
I've done 13months before and just after that, was the most amazing feeling getting freedom. I'm still scared a little from it and be permanently messed up. I couldnt imagine 25 years...
Yes. Jail or prison can really effect you for a lifetime. I’ve only spent a few months at a time, but it’s def made me have social anxiety. I remember after my longest time being locked up having major anxiety about being out.
I spent one night and lost my mind they had to watch me use the b room Someone watching u cant beat ur stick can’t do anything no freedom Worst feeling in world and there’s nothing u can do
@@troyterrell5666 nothing you can do at all, it does get easier longer you're in there. First days are worst. It's the not knowing when you'll get out. Time moves very slow. My 13 months felt like 2-3 years
Jesus! This man has been locked up since he was 16! Now 41, 25 years later, he's found innocent! Cohearsed into a confession to a double homicide by a crocked cop! God bless you Daniel! Go live your life!
He spent 18 years in prison until the Court of Appeals overturned the conviction based on the bad confession. Any bad stuff he did as a punk kid back in the day he paid for and then some.
Omgosh!! This poor guy! I feel so sorry for him! God Bless him. I can't imagine the grieve this Family has gone through. I'm so happy that his life was given back to him. Free. Thank God he has Family to support him. I wish him luck! 🙏✌
He was released on bail in 2014 awaiting his third trial which was this one, but still, it doesnt even come close to making up for the hell this man was put thru. It was a witch hunt done by a corrupt and greasy police officer who now thankfully has to have his day in court for what he did.
Matt E would never happen any law enforcement officer that happens to go to prison will never experience “hard time”. In California They are segregated from “all” prison populations because they would be primary targets for all gangs, Like snitches.
Yeah because you can force someone to say anything it's his fault for being a bitch and signing a paper saying he murdered people if he didnt I dont feel bad his fault no one elses
Why would people make fun of this man, people who have never been locked up or in a courtroom awaiting your fate from a judge simply have no idea what there saying. Pretty amazing though
I rejoiced after only 18 months of prison. 25 years for something he did not do. Now you have to ask yourself how many more that are locked up that is innocent. Seen it first hand police trying to get statement under duress.
This guy should not have to work another day in his life. Either give him a stress free life or let him earn tax free money forever. He owes nothing to the government anymore.
Yeah but idle hands are the devil's playground. He should do some kind of victim advocacy work or counseling or social work. Better yet, become a criminal justice professor.
But he’s a murderer who is walking due to a fuckery of a judge. Lots of money and bribery is why is walking. Dude straight confessed to his own family and friends in jail that he murdered those two. But the judge threw it out because I’m sure his punk ass is in the pockets of the clown funding the guys defense.
This is so touching. Even the judge was affected. "You are free to leave." God bless Daniel Villegas and his family. 💜 And may he live a long and very happy life.
No matter how many times I watch this video, it always sticks with me how terrified Mr Villegas looks as the judge is talking, my heart goes out to the man, he lost 25 years of his life for a crime he never committed. so glad this was sorted out and he was exonerated.
I watched this like so many time and I still have tears 😭 I am so glad that he received the decision that has supposed to be given to him long time ago.. God Blessed you.
The way he was acting I thought they was gonna say "guilty"! I sitting here crying tears of "joy" for this man! Congratulations!!! Stay out of trouble! God Bless!🙏😇
I could watch this over and over. Mr. Villegas' reaction, as well as that of the gallery, are just awesome. And the judge was very cool by letting everyone celebrate for a few seconds and not trying to stop them.
Don't let emotion distract you from the fact that this man just lost 25 years of his life thanks to the actions of law enforcement individuals. #onceagain.
The judge is apparently happy also. He let them have that outburst and he was grinning a little bit. I honestly don't even know what's going on. I clicked on this because of the thumbnail.
Deelicious Grapes if you really wanna know what happened there’s a confession dateline episode thing of October 29 in RU-vid it’s about an hour long but it explains the whole thing and how he was found not guilty
Sadie's My Name, Chasing Mice is My Game Me Too!! I Felt Like I Needed to get up and shake hands with everyone around me and I Honestly have No idea who this man is or what he was accused of!! It’s always nice to see someone who was Honestly innocent, but found guilty, set Free. But there again, I don’t know if this was the case or not in this video! The video just made me so happy, I was having to sit on my hands to keep from waving at everybody!! 😂😂😂
I know it's been a couple of years since this took place however being from El Paso this case still hits home, in my heart. I hope this gentleman is enjoying life and his family is enjoying him. Whenever I feel down and out watching this always makes me feel a little bit better!!! Thank God good people in this world!
lewis thomas I followed this case last time it was heard this man was completely innocent. I don’t see how he was ever convicted in the first place his confession was called into question the first round. They all knew he was innocent they just didn’t care long as someone was locked up for that crime it was fine. So glad to see him get out he deserves it plus a big pay day I hope. Ruined his life for nothing.
You are rt and if it was bad work on the police department or detective work I think they should be sent to jail my son did work for the bank on foreclosed properties he had the keys that the bank issued to himhe had a work order to go in this particular piece of property and somebody next door called the cops on it said it broke in but come to find out they charged him with breaking the intern trespassing at a whole list of stuff he's been about 10 days in jail for nothing during his trial his lawyer had the lady from the bank there to travel to and they verified that he did work for the bank on their behalf he was found not guilty but he lost $10,000 in money that he had to put up out of his pocket and the cops just left the courtroom like it was no big deal but every chance we get if we see that Detective we give him a hell of a time we tell him in public how sorry he is he leaves with his head stuck between his legs he should be
Every time this comes up in my feed, I watch it. It’s one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever seen. This is one of those moments that stays with you forever.
at this point I´d like to give a quote from the series 'Criminal Minds' questioner - 'Do you know who needs lawyers? Guilty people.' Hotch - 'Smart people!' sad truth is that this turns more and more into a fact ... not just in the US ... worldwide there is loads of innocent people behind bars
This is true this one of the reasons i don't believe in the D.P. ALSO CAUSE INJECTION IS STILL MURDER. WHAT EVER MEANS THE CHAMBER THE ELECTRICAL CHAIR OR INJECTION. AN EYE FOR EYE WAS IN OLD TESTAMENT N IN THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS WAS SENT FOR A REASON. NOW WHO EVER GOT KILLED I PRAY THEY FIND JUSTICE FOR THEM. ALL THESE YEARS NOW THEY HAVE TO OPEN CASE UP N WHO KNOWS WHERE THE PETSON OR PERSONS INVOLVED ARE.
no because he signed an affidavit they had no other choice but to keep him in prison, I hope they find who is really responsible for the victims familys comfort and also so this man doesn't bare anymore bullying by people that might think he got by with something. And so the real criminal is brought to justice. Damage is done they need to have a go fund me page for him so people can donate to help him start his life.
Understand one thing turd face. he confessed then renigged on it. He is guilty just not enough evidence but he did it
5 лет назад
From a fellow Texan I am glad he was able to get proper justice. All the best to his family, may you all move forward and enjoy life...with lots of hugs 💐
What you mean to say is that you are glad he was able to be exonerated.. Proper justice would be compensating this man for 20 years of incarceration, and putting into prison the detectives who coerced a 16 year old boy to confess to murders he did not commit
I REMEMBER THIS FROM WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. WOW THIS GUY WAS IN PRISON THIS WHOLE TIME FOR A CRIME HE NEVER COMMITTED. HOW SHITTY! TIME TO FIND THE COPS RESPONSIBLE AND PLACE THEM ON TRIAL
Good luck with that. From what I read on the case this guy bragged about murdering people to his close friends and that's why he spent 20 years behind bars. Don't tell serious lies and you won't have to face consequences for your actions. When I was a kid I never claimed I murdered people I didn't. From what I have read he confessed to friends about it not the police. So you can't even say the Police forced a confession from what I've read online.
Melanie Larkins You for real? Hel be getting payed for this. Big money for this. Plus a lawsuit would result in a huge paycheck for him. Millions. That city will need to start getting its checkbook ready
@Range Rover Woah, only people make the disaster serve the time, don't bring families when they don't do anything. You make it seem like its nazi role. Your family make one mistake everyone take a shot together.. that not how we roll in america bruh. only people who do bad things deserve justice.
But the Average So-Called Law Abiding😹☹👴👻🎅👱👸💂🙈🙉🙊👼👳👲🎅👷👳 citizens "Are Always Willing to go along with Police MisConduct time and time again "Until it hits home!That 1or2 Bad Apples have been turned🍎🍎🍎 into Apple🍎🌳🍅🌳🍅🌳🌳🍏🌳🍎🌳🍏🍁 Orchards....🌳🍏🌳🍏🌳🍏🌳
I never get tired of watching this video, it gives hope and faith that God is protecting us, Daniel I would love to meet u and shake your hand, I'm a US veteran and prayed to get through the next day, you made it, God bless u my brother
To think, that roughly 1 million people are incarcerated right now for crimes they never committed, and will never get this justice... We have failed as a human species.
Well it's impossible to make a perfect system. Either you let guilty people go free or put innocent people behind bars. In some cases it's impossible to know all the facts and therefore there will always be cases that are judged incorrectly. So many people complain about the system, but no one seems to have suggestions on how to make it better, that are actually realistic options.
If you think we've failed as a species, let's hear your brilliant approach to overhauling the justice system to ensure innocents aren't wrongly convicted. We're waiting.
You definitely have no logic in that assumption. What your saying is that half of the prison population in america were innocent. You don't believe that yourself. Stop trolling or learn something about what you dont know. You sir won the RU-vid stupid comment of the year. Congrats idiot.
Foi isso que Jesus Cristo fez com nós. Ele nos tornou Justos diante de Deus. Por isso devemos a Ele todo nosso serviço. *Cristo minha vida é sua pós me libertou da morte do pecado, do juízo e da condenação*
@@CatManTho What would you reward something with Muchilis K? Imagine spending 25 years of your life in prison when you did nothing wrong....what do you think you'd deserve?
I've only seen this video, But it was so touching! Brought tears to my eyes. Your sincerity and your demeanor showed the kind of person you are. Congratulations on your outcome you deserved it.
well they don't need any physical evidence when you sign an affidavit admitting guilt. Best thing a parent can do it teach their children that cops are liars and crooks and they cannot be trusted.
The chance is almost ten times as likely if you're a person of color. Not trying to say anything in particular. Although it's an unfortunate truth what really bothers me is that we as human beings sadly accepted and ignored it. 0
OH my goodness I’m so chocked up with tears , bless this man and his family, I pray that the future brings you great happiness 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 your a free man 🥺
OMG, it gave me shiverings and I bursted into tears. So sad to have all these years taken away from you and the harsship he and the family had to go through, this kind of injustice is worst than killing.
I’m not an emotional man. Know nothing of this case as this is the first video I’ve seen. Dudes reaction alone almost had me tear up. So much emotion in that man and that courtroom..... wow.
Stutz This man turned down a plea deal and went to this trial instead, even after his two previous trials ending so badly, he risked his freedom once again to clear his name, and to stand up for every other person who was bullied into confessing a crime they didn’t do. He was out of prison after proving the cops were f*d up, and he had his baby, and he had to decide whether to go to trial or take the deal. He is an amazing person.
