Anthony Vasquez was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder in 1994, for the murder of Kimberly Newson and attempted murder of Bernard Davis. Vasquez, along with three other teenagers, was accused of the crime, primarily based on his young co-defendant’s inconsistent statements and a tentative identification.
On the night of August 20, 1994, Kimberly Newson and Bernard Davis were sitting in Newson’s car talking, when a group approached the car and shot them. Newsome died and Davis was injured. Anthony Vasquez, along with Daniel Hinton, Jimmie Lee Jeter, and Quinton Newman, were accused of the crime, with Michael Wilber allegedly driving them to the scene. The group claimed they were at a skating rink, World of Wheels (WOW), during the time of the shooting, and security footage captured their entry at 11:37 p.m. Hinton, in exchange for immunity, testified that Vasquez and Newman were the shooters, although he later recanted, stating the boys never left the rink that night.
The prosecution’s case relied heavily on Hinton’s testimony and Davis’s uncertain identification of Vasquez as one of the shooters. Davis, who had a history with the East Coast Crips gang, was under pressure from police to identify the attackers, leading to questionable identifications. Despite presenting an alibi supported by surveillance footage and inconsistencies in Hinton’s statements, Vasquez was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder, receiving a sentence of 29 years to life. New evidence, including Hinton’s recantation and Wilber’s statement denying involvement, suggests Vasquez’s innocence, as both claim the boys were at the skating rink and not at the crime scene.
Eyewitness Identification Issues: The case against Anthony Vasquez was significantly undermined by problems with eyewitness identification. Bernard Davis, the surviving victim, initially failed to identify Vasquez in a lineup conducted shortly after the crime. It was only in a subsequent lineup, months later, that Davis identified Vasquez, but with only 50-60% certainty. This delayed and uncertain identification raises concerns about the reliability of Davis’s testimony, especially given the scientific understanding that initial identifications are more reliable and subsequent identifications can be contaminated.
Police Pressure on Minors: The case also involved allegations of police pressure on minors. Daniel Hinton, a co-defendant who testified against Vasquez, gave conflicting statements about what happened that night after police threatened him with charges. He later recanted his testimony, stating that he was pressured by police to provide false information in exchange for immunity. Hinton admitted that the group never left the skating rink on the night of the crime, contradicting his trial testimony.
Alibi: Vasquez’s alibi was supported by surveillance footage from the skating rink, which showed him and his friends entering the rink shortly before midnight and remaining there until the next morning. This alibi was further corroborated by testimony from the rink’s manager and the father of one of the boys, who confirmed the group’s presence at the rink during the time of the shooting and the inability for skaters to leave or reenter once the doors were locked.
Impossibility: It was impossible for Vasquez and his friends to have left and re-entered the skating rink without being noticed. The rink had strict security measures in place, including surveillance and a policy that prevented minors from leaving after midnight without a parent This evidence supports the claim that the group remained at the rink throughout the night of the shooting.
Anthony’s Release and Legal Efforts: Anthony Vasquez was released on parole and has recently been discharged. The Innocence Center is actively pursuing a Motion to Vacate his conviction to clear his name, based on the new evidence and recantations that have come to light.
This case highlights significant issues in the criminal justice system, including the reliability of eyewitness testimony, the impact of police pressure on vulnerable individuals, and the importance of corroborating alibis with objective evidence. The Innocence Center’s efforts aim to rectify these injustices and restore Anthony Vasquez’s reputation.
