Sidney Holmes of Florida was sentenced to 400 years in prison for an armed robbery, but after serving more than 34 years in prison, the state of Florida conducted a new investigation and found that Holmes was not responsible for the crime.
Sidney Holmes, 57, was released from prison on March 13 after spending more than 34 years incarcerated in South Florida.
A thorough re-investigation of the 1988 armed robbery case, which resulted in Holmes’ conviction, “raised reasonable doubts about his guilt,” according to ABC News.
According to Harold F. Pryor, the state attorney for Broward County, Holmes was detained in October 1988 for allegedly serving as the getaway driver for two unidentified men who held up a man and a woman outside of a store before robbing them. Two unnamed men stole the male victim’s car from him.
He was found guilty by a jury in April 1989 and given a 400-year prison term. Prosecutors asked the judge to give him an 825-year prison term at the time.
The Conviction Review Unit found that aside from an incorrect identification of Holmes and the getaway car, there is no evidence connecting Holmes to the robbery.
Holmes declared to reporters outside the courtroom after his release that he does not harbor any animosity towards anyone.
“I can’t have hate. I just have to keep on moving.” he said.
