A Minnesota man, Edgar Barrientos-Quintana, has been released from prison after serving 16 years for a murder conviction that prosecutors now say he did not commit. Barrientos-Quintana was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 2009 for the killing of 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson in a drive-by shooting in Minneapolis.
In August, a conviction review unit under Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office released a report highlighting various faults in the case against Barrientos-Quintana. State court Judge John McBride recently vacated his conviction and ordered his release. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, after more than a decade, dismissed all charges against him.
The judge concluded that Barrientos-Quintana did not receive a fair trial due to prosecutors failing to disclose all exculpatory evidence and his defense attorneys' ineffective representation. Prosecutors did not reveal that a reality TV crew was embedded with the lead investigator on the case, and key witness testimonies were inconsistent.
The report also found that the Minneapolis Police Department's investigation violated its own protocols for photo identification lineups. Eyewitness descriptions did not match Barrientos-Quintana's appearance, and evidence supported his alibi.
Barrientos-Quintana expressed gratitude to his legal team and family upon his release, stating that he never lost hope of being freed. His defense attorney, Julie Jonas, who worked on his case for 11 years, described his release as a joyous moment for his family and supporters.
Barrientos-Quintana's case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards in the criminal justice system and ensuring fair trials for all individuals.
