Help Angel rebuild his life
On Oct. 14th, 2008, a man was shot to death outside the Pine Street Market in Springfield, Massachusetts. Roughly a year later Angel Hernandez, the owner of the Market, was accused of that murder along with alleged accomplice Charles Wilhite.
Angel and Charles were tried and convicted of murder in 2010. However, after two witnesses recanted their original testimony, explaining they were pressured by Springfield police, Mr. Wilhite was granted a new trial and found 'Not Guilty' in 2013.
With the serious police misconduct at the forefront, Angel also pursued another trial, and one was granted in 2017. In granting Angel a new trial, Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough wrote that because the perjury convictions and recanted testimony didn't exist at the time of Hernandez's first trial, they met the definition of newly discovered evidence. Sadly, Angel was denied bail thus having to await his new trial in prison. He was, though, very relieved he would finally have another day in court to prove his innocence once and for all.
Finally, on May 18, 2021, Angel began his 2nd trial which lasted six days in the Hampden County Superior Court. On May 25th, after two trials, and nearly 12 years of imprisonment, Angel was found NOT GUILTY of murder and walked out of court with his legal team, family, friends and community. The nightmare of being falsely imprisoned was finally over.
But now, Angel needs our help to rebuild his life. There is much to learn about living in the year 2021 after being locked up for over a decade. SO much has changed in the world.
A little about Angel: Angel Hernandez came from humble roots and built his life through skill and hard work. He worked as a janitor and technician and eventually found his way to owning the Pine St. Market, operating an electronics repair and real estate businesses. In addition to owning and operating the Market (also called Angel's Mini Mart), Angel owned several rental properties when this accusation destroyed his life and the lives of his family, friends and community. Angel is well respected by his community. People consistently speak about what a 'nice guy' he is, and they express their hope for him to succeed as he puts his life back together.
Angel remains determined in spite of more than a decade of being wrongly imprisoned and he looks forward to rebuilding the life he previously worked so hard to create for himself and his family.
As you all know, when someone leaves prison, they leave with nothing but the clothes on their back. Angel lost everything and the money raised here will help him secure housing, clothing, a phone and other personal items needed to get his feet back on the ground, and then start on his next business venture. Furthermore, Angel's mother is ill and lives in Florida and he will need to be able to travel to be with her. Let's all work to make these things happen!