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American Morning

Word of a Priest Frees New York Prisoner

Aired July 25, 2001 - 10:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to begin with a compelling story that's coming to us out of New York. It is a story of crime and confession. A New York man is free this morning. It is 12 years after he's been serving time in prison for a crime he says he did not commit. And he owes his freedom to the controversial testimony from a Roman Catholic priest.

Taina Hernandez of our CNN affiliate in New York, actually, NY1, has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TAINA HERNANDEZ, NY1 REPORTER (voice-over): For more than a decade, Father Joseph Towle lived with the knowledge two teens had been wrongfully convicted of murder.

REVEREND JOSEPH TOWLE: From beginning to end, the situation is a tragedy.

HERNANDEZ: But after a federal appeals court hearing Tuesday, family and friends of one of those teens rejoiced. Jose Morales, imprisoned for 12 years for murder, was released on his own recognizance and the judge indicated his conviction will soon be overturned.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The district attorney's office has not proceeded as they should have back in 1987 or '88 when they were aware that other people were involved with this crime and they didn't fully investigate it.

HERNANDEZ: But lawyers for the Bronx DA fought to keep Morales in jail Tuesday, even though 13 years ago before Morales was sentenced, another teen, Jesus Fornes, admitted he did it after confessing to Father Towle.

TOWLE: I gave him absolution and said now go to the court and tell them everything that you've told me. It is exactly what he did. He made a public declaration of everything he had said to me.

HERNANDEZ: But when the DA and the original judge refused to acknowledge Fornes' confession, Morales was sent to prison along with an alleged accomplice, who is now also expected to be freed pending an appeal, though the victim's daughter continues to believe the right men were jailed. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are guilty, truly guilty.

HERNANDEZ: As for Morales' plans...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know he's looking forward to finally spending time with his son.

HERNANDEZ: Who was born around the time Morales was sentenced. According to his lawyers, it's premature to say whether they'll pursue a lawsuit against the district attorney's office. But the DA stands by its case, arguing its original eyewitness stands by her story.

Taina Hernandez, NY1.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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