Central Park 5 in 2019
In 1989, a city of millions and a nation gripped in fear and hate turned on five teenagers who were falsely accused. The ‘Central Park Five’ — Kevin Richardson left, Anthony McCray, Raymond Santana, Korey Wise and Yuseef Salaam – were accused of raping and attacking a white female jogger in Central Park, and despite no physical evidence connecting them to the scene and inconsistent ‘confessions’ they claim were coerced out of them by the police, the five boys were found guilty. In 2002, after they all had served their prison time, their convictions were vacated after DNA evidence tied serial rapist and murderer Matias Reyes to the scene. Reyes also confessed to the crime. The story of this miscarriage of justice and how the justice system unfairly treats people of color, is featured in ‘When They See Us,’ a Netflix mini-series.
Central Park 5’s Anthony McCray
Anthony McCray, one of the ‘Central Park Five,’ attends the world premiere of “When They See Us” at the Apollo Theater. He was found guilty of rape, assault, robbery and riot in the attack. He was sentenced to 5 to 10 years. He had served his time when he was exonorated of the attack on Trisha Meili.
Central Park 5’s Kevin Richardson
Kevin Richardson was convicted of attempted murder, rape, sodomy, assault and robbery in connection to a series of attacks in 1989, including the rape and assault on Trisha Meili. He was exonorated of the attack on the white jogger in 2002.
Central Park 5’s Raymond Santana
Raymond Santana is one of the men that Donald Trump called be put to death in 1989. The then-real estate mogul took out a full page ad in four of NYC’s most popular papers that called for the return of the death penalty.
Central Park 5’s Korey Wise
Korey Wise attends the world premiere of ‘When They See Us.’ Ava DuVernay directed the Netflix mini-series. While some elements are fictional, the injustice committed against these five men is, unfortunately, all too real.
Central Park 5’s Yusef Salaam
Yusef Salaam said that when Donald Trump called for him and the rest of the Central Park Five be put to death over the attack, his family suffered an increase in death threats. Remember – he didn’t do it and there was no evidence presented in his 1990 trial that connected him to the crime.
Central Park 5
The Central Park Five sued the city of New York over malicious prosecution, racial discrimination, and emotional distress. The city, under Bil de Blasio, settled in 2014, awarding them $41 million.
