Philadelphia man has been released from prison after 41 years after his conviction was reviewed amid a probe tied to the city's notorious "sex-for-lies" scheme.
What Happened?
Russell Williams, 67, walked out of a Philadelphia prison after 41 years, becoming the fourth person to have his conviction overturned in the "sex for lies" investigation, which was allegedly tainted by detectives who offered to arrange sexual liaisons for witnesses in exchange for false testimony in the 1980s.
Williams was convicted of first-degree murder in 1982 for the killing of Fred Rainey in North Philadelphia.
On Thursday at a court hearing, a Common Pleas Court judge Scott DiClaudio vacated his life sentence and accepted a plea agreement for third-degree murder, sentencing him to time served.
Generic police lights at a crime scene investigation. A Philadelphia man has been released from prison after 41 years becoming the latest released amid a review of convictions tied to the city's notorious "sex-for-lies" scheme.... More Getty Images
DiClaudio stated that while this was not an exoneration, he called the resolution "appropriate" given the circumstances.
Attorney Kevin Mincey, representing Williams, said his client accepted the plea as a means to regain his freedom, adding, "He still maintains his innocence."
What Is the "Sex for Lies" Scheme?
The case against Williams, along with his co-defendant Andre "Shakur" Harvey—released under similar terms in October—has been marred by allegations of misconduct,
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Williams and Harvey were two of three men convicted of killing Rainey on a North Philadelphia street in 1982. The third man died in prison.
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Prison
The case unraveled when police reportedly withheld crucial evidence, including the existence of two alternate suspects, one of whom was linked to a gambling ring, according to
The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The revelations surrounding Williams' case are part of a broader investigation into systemic abuses by a now-deceased group of detectives.
Their tactics have unraveled several convictions, including those of Willie Stokes and William Franklin. Stokes was released in 2022 after spending decades behind bars, following revelations that a key witness in his trial in 1984 was charged with perjury just days after testifying.
Franklin, freed earlier this year after 44 years, saw his conviction overturned when a judge said she found the evidence that detectives had solicited the false testimony "credible and convincing."
In March, Reuters reported that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner was responsible for overturning many convictions such as those tied to the "sex for lies" scheme. Reuters said that many of the prisoners exonerated through Krasner's efforts were Black.
While the detectives at the center of the "sex-for-lies" scandal are deceased, the investigation not only calls into question the credibility of past investigations but also highlights the push for accountability with four men now freed.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
