WSCT client Charles “C.J.” Rice was seventeen years old when he was arrested and charged with four counts of attempted murder stemming from a 2011 shooting of a South Philadelphia mother and three of her relatives. C.J. and his co-defendant both had alibis for the time of the shooting. No physical evidence connected either of them to the crime and only one witness identified Rice. Still, Rice was convicted and sentenced to 30 – 60 years in prison. Rice’s co-defendant was found not guilty.

During federal habeas corpus proceedings, WSCT challenged the highly unreliable eyewitness “identification,” partially through uncovering evidence that the prosecutor suppressed which undermined the identification. Additionally, WSCT was able to successfully demonstrate that Rice’s trial attorney was ineffective for allowing the prosecutor to present harmful and unreliable evidence to the jury.

Rice’s habeas corpus petition was granted on December 19, 2023. Due to compelling evidence of innocence developed by WSCT, all charges against Rice were withdrawn on March 18. 2024 and Rice was released from prison.  

Learn more about C.J.’s case here and here.