In a remarkable turn of events, John Huffington, a man who spent 32 years behind bars, including ten on death row, for murders he did not commit, was granted $2.9 million in compensation by a Maryland commission. The decision came after former governor Larry Hogan granted Huffington a pardon in January, acknowledging the incompetence of the prosecution that led to his wrongful conviction for a 1981 double homicide in Harford County.
During Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting, which includes the governor, comptroller, and treasurer, the compensation was unanimously approved. Present at the meeting, Huffington received an apology from Comptroller Peter Franchot, who acknowledged the immense toll the wrongful incarceration had taken on him. Franchot stated, “He was deprived of time spent away from family and loved ones, holidays, birthdays, missed milestones, and opportunities denied — injustice, time and time again.”
Despite the injustice he endured, Huffington displayed resilience and determination throughout his ordeal. He used public speaking and authored an autobiography to shed light on the flaws in the American criminal justice system, becoming an advocate for change. Senator Jill Carter praised Huffington’s efforts, saying, “I am grateful not only because he is willing to share his story, but also because he is willing to turn his suffering into service.”
Since his release, Huffington has been actively involved in helping others. He works as a manager for Second Chance, an organization that supports employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, he has contributed to the reintegration and job-readiness initiatives of the Living Classrooms Foundation. Currently, Huffington serves as the chief operating officer of the Baltimore-based Kinetic Capital Community Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting economic justice.
Huffington’s conviction, infamously labeled the “Memorial Day Murders” by the media, stemmed from the killing of Diane Becker and her companion Joseph Hudson in 1981. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was found guilty of first-degree murder based on witness testimony linking his hair to the crime scene. Years later, a 2011 FBI study cast doubt on the reliability of the hair evidence used in his case, and it was revealed that Harford County State’s Attorney Joseph Cassilly had withheld this crucial information from Huffington’s defense team.
However, hope emerged in 2013 when new DNA-based evidence, not available during his earlier trials, led to the overturning of his convictions. It took more than three decades, but DNA analysis finally proved that the hair found at the crime scene did not belong to Huffington.
In a significant development, in 2021, the Maryland’s highest court unanimously voted to disbar Joseph Cassilly for lying and concealing evidence that could have exonerated Huffington in the 1981 double homicide. This action further highlighted the miscarriage of justice that occurred during the original trial.
As John Huffington continues his journey to rebuild his life, his story stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder of the importance of ensuring a fair and just legal system for all.
