On February 22, 2025, a Hawaii man named Gordon Cordeiro was released from prison after spending 30 years incarcerated for a murder he maintained he did not commit. A judge in Maui vacated his convictions due to new DNA evidence that could potentially exonerate him in the killing of Timothy Blaisdell during a drug deal robbery in 1994.
- Hawaii man released after 30 years in prison
- New DNA evidence led to his exoneration
- Judge vacated convictions during emotional hearing
- Prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling
- Cordeiro maintained innocence throughout imprisonment
- Case involved murder during drug deal robbery
Cordeiro’s case dates back to the killing of Timothy Blaisdell during a drug deal gone wrong on Maui. Initially convicted based largely on testimony from jailhouse informants, Cordeiro’s first trial ended with a hung jury. He was later found guilty and sentenced to life without parole despite maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Recent developments included DNA testing that excluded Cordeiro as the source of biological material found at the crime scene. His defense argued that police relied heavily on unreliable informants who had motives to fabricate their testimonies against him. Key points raised by the Hawaii Innocence Project included:
- New DNA evidence indicating another individual’s presence at the crime scene.
- Claims of prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance from previous legal representation.
- Cordeiro’s alibis for the time of the murder were supported by family members who testified he was home.
The judge acknowledged that this new evidence would likely change the outcome if retried, leading to her decision to vacate Cordeiro’s convictions. Despite this ruling, Maui County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin expressed disappointment and indicated plans to appeal, citing concerns about flight risk due to the serious nature of the original charges.
Cordeiro’s release marks a significant moment after decades behind bars for a crime he always denied committing. As he steps into freedom, he expresses gratitude towards those who supported him throughout his long fight for justice.
