Exonerated NY man gets master’s degree
May 29, 2013, 12:19 PM
NEW YORK (AP) – A New York man who spent 16 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit has received a master’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Jeffrey Deskovic (DEH’-skoh-vihch), who was freed in 2006, received his diploma at a graduation ceremony on Tuesday.
Deskovic won $8.3 million for his wrongful imprisonment from New York State and Westchester County. He used some of the money to start the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice to help other innocent people get out of prison.
Deskovic was a teenager when he was charged with killing a Peekskill High School classmate. He was released after DNA linked the 1989 killing to another man.
He’s been active in criminal justice reform and anti-death penalty movements since his release.
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