HONOLULU (AP) — After 30 long years in prison, Gordon Cordeiro’s first stop was his mother’s gravesite. He had been freed when a judge overturned his conviction for a crime he always insisted he didn’t commit.
Cordeiro was released after new DNA evidence cleared him in the 1994 shooting death of Timothy Blaisdell in Maui. When he arrived at his mother’s grave, he took a moment to express his gratitude, saying, “Thanks for looking over me.” Paulette Cordeiro passed away just before her son was arrested, making their reunion in spirit even more poignant.
During his time in prison, Cordeiro often thought of his mother, who suffered from ALS. He remembered the times he and his sisters cared for her, and how he was with her when the tragic events unfolded that led to his wrongful conviction.
His first meal outside was a steak dinner, followed by time spent with family. However, the excitement of freedom was mixed with an inability to sleep. The next day, he planned to visit family graves and even considered a trip to Costco.
“It feels normal,” he said, though he acknowledged that Maui is not quite the same as he remembered, particularly after the tragic wildfires that destroyed Lahaina in 2023. Cordeiro also noted the shift in technology – he’s now getting used to smartphones, something he didn’t have before going to prison.
His release was emotional. In court, there were gasps as the judge announced that new DNA evidence could change the case’s outcome. Maui County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin plans to appeal the judge’s decision. Cordeiro’s initial trial ended in a hung jury, but he was later convicted and sentenced to life without parole.
Thanks to advances in DNA testing, he was finally exonerated. These tests showed he wasn’t linked to the crime scene, and the judge declared, “Thank God for new DNA,” a sentiment Cordeiro echoed enthusiastically.
Connecting with others who have been wrongfully convicted is important to him. Ian Schweitzer, who was freed in 2023 after spending over two decades in prison, reached out to offer support. The two had crossed paths in prison and kept track of each other’s cases.
Now, Cordeiro is looking forward to fixing cars, helping around his dad’s house, and maybe giving back to his community. It’s a new beginning for him, filled with hope and possibilities.
Source link
Hawaii, Wildfires, Gordon Cordeiro, Homicide, Crime, General news, National, HI State Wire, U.S. news, Paulette Cordeiro, Kirstin Hamman, Timothy Blaisdell, Ian Schweitzer, Andrew Martin
