Michael Austin : 27 Years in Prison
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Michael is an accomplished musician who spends a great deal of his time playing his trumpet and singing the old Jazz songs. |
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His large hands from his 6’5” gentle frame totally encompass his trumpet, as they softly play one of the several tunes he created. Where does Michael get his creative talent? “I’ve had some time to think and create.” – Michael Austin. Michael is another one of several wrongfully convicted innocent people who spent time in prison for a crime they didn’t commit.
Michael was convicted in a 1974 shooting death of a security guard at a grocery store. He was arrested because of a mug-shot identification by a store clerk who told detectives the shooter was a light-skinned black man about 5-foot-8. Michael is 6’5” and dark-skinned.
Michael spent 27 years in prison until a judge found his trial was error-ridden and overturned the conviction. The only physical evidence against Austin was a wallet card with the alleged accomplice's name on it. Prosecutors failed to tell the jury that the man who allegedly was Austin's accomplice was freed after police admitted they had the wrong man.
Centurion Ministries is a non-profit organization in Princeton, New Jersey whose purpose is to free and vindicate from prison those who are completely innocent of the crimes for which they have been wrongfully convicted. In 1997, Centurion Ministries took on Michael’s case yielding new evidence of innocence which was presented at a 2001 evidentiary hearing. Among the new information was an eyewitness who never testified. The witness told the judge that Michael could not be the offender because he stood eyeball to eyeball with the offender. The witness is 5’9” and Michael is 6’5”.
Michael’s case is one of MISTAKEN IDENTITY and POLICE TUNNEL VISION.
Not only did the difference in height and skin color contribute to the innocence of Michael, but the only witness against Michael was a life long drug addict who confided with his brother (while coached by investigators) to send an innocent man to prison. “Michael Austin as an accused was wronged, and no matter the age of the wrong, it remains wrong. Our capacity to right a wrong is a measurement of our true commitment to due process and justice as a State.” – Circuit Court Judge John Carroll Byrnes. Have a conversation with Michael and listen to a smooth jazz musician capture your ear while he tells you his inspirations for his music. You will forget the man spent 26 years in prison for a crime he could not have possibly committed. Play on Michael Austin. Play your music for all to hear.
