Fourth man released from US jail in connection with 1980s ‘sex for lies’ scheme
Prisoner released in review of convictions allegedly tainted by police who offered witnesses sexual liaisons in exchange for false testimony
A Philadelphia man has been released from prison after 41 years in the latest review of convictions allegedly tainted by detectives who offered to arrange sexual liaisons for witnesses in exchange for false testimony.
Russell Williams, 67, is the fourth person to have his conviction overturned in the “sex for lies” investigation. In a deal with prosecutors, Williams left prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder in a 1982 case and being sentenced to time served.
“He still maintains his innocence,” lawyer Kevin Mincey said. “But he chose his freedom.”
Common Pleas Judge Scott Scott DiClaudio said vacating the first-degree conviction, and life sentence, at a court hearing Thursday was not an exoneration but perhaps the “appropriate” resolution given the circumstances.
A co-defendant, Andre “Shakur” Harvey, was released after a similar plea agreement in October, The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reported. They were two of three men convicted of killing a man named Fred Rainey on a North Philadelphia street in 1982. The third man died in prison.
Police did not disclose that they had two alternative suspects, including a man involved in a gambling ring, the newspaper reported.