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A Los Angeles man has cleared his name after being illegally imprisoned for 30 years for the shooting death of a teenager.
On Friday, April 18, the judge discovered Humbert “Beto” Duran, 51, virtually innocent of the 1993 East Ragang murder.
“I didn’t expect this to happen because it’s easy to get locked up and it’s difficult to get out,” Duran told KTLA’s Angeli Kakade. “It’s amazing to hear from the judge that I’m actually innocent for years, 32 years from now.”
Almost 30 years ago, Duran was convicted of killing 17-year-old Albert Gonzalez based on witness testimony. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
At the time, Duran was only 19 years old.
According to a report by the LA Times, Duran knew Gonzalez had grown up. “I was surprised,” Duran told the Times. “I didn’t even realize he had any problems with anyone about why he was killing him.”
Duran’s lawyer reportedly told The Times that Duran was framed for Gonzalez’s murder.
“The detective said you wouldn’t leave, so I looked at him, I had a smirk and I said I would see who had the last laugh,” Duran told KTLA. “I will never forget those words.”
Duran and his family, who have never lost their faith, have reached out to a variety of innocent projects for years.
Then, in 2018, a woman named Megan Baka, now director of California’s Innocence Advocates, contacted Duran and eventually began her path to parole in 2022.
With the help of BACA, a single witness would repeat her testimony, and Duran’s case was vacated in 2024.
The LA Times said the witness, who was then 17 years old, said she claimed she named Duran the murderer.
“I know Beto is innocent,” the Times reported that he wrote in 2021 in a declaration of oath.
Duran told KTLA that he believes the system is broken.
“I went to the Marines and became a parole agent. That dream was taken away from me,” Duran said.
Duran’s lawyer, Jarrett Adams, said he is grateful to Da Nathan Hochman for making the right decision.
“I held Mr. Duran and I could wave to everyone in his family there,” Hochman said. “It was clearly a great day for Mr. Duran, but it was also a great day for justice.”
Duran said he is now focusing on the future.
“I want to start working in electricity and start my own company again and move forward,” Duran said. “I want to enjoy life, I think I deserve it.”
Duran’s civil lawsuit is still pending, and he will know on July 17 how much compensation he will receive for his time spent behind the bar.
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