Release of Darien Harris Granted as Crucial Witness in Trial is Discovered to be Visually Impaired

A man from Chicago, Darien Harris, has been released from prison after his murder conviction was overturned due to unreliable testimony from a legally blind witness. Harris had spent 12 years behind bars before a judge vacated the conviction and set him free. He described this moment as the happiest of his life and expressed his gratitude for standing strong throughout this ordeal. In 2014, Harris was sentenced to 76 years in prison for the murder of Rondell Moore, a crime he claims he did not commit. However, the only video evidence available at the time was inconclusive, making it difficult to identify the shooter. Harris was identified out of a lineup by Dexter Saffold, the main witness, who was revealed to be legally blind. Harris' lawyers fought for a new trial after discovering this crucial information, arguing that justice should not rely on a visually impaired witness. In 2019, with the help of another inmate and research, Harris learned about Saffold's condition. Saffold confirmed his blindness during an interview and stated that the prosecutors were unaware of this information. In July, a judge exonerated Harris, and the prosecutors subsequently dropped the case against him. Harris' release brought immense joy to his mother, Nakesha Harris, who described it as the best Christmas gift ever. His lawyer, Lauren Myerscough-Mueller, praised Harris' resilience and shared that he plans to attend law school to help others who have been wrongfully convicted.