In his decision, Judge Robert Mandelbaum rebuked former assistant district attorney Helen Sturm for her refusal to participate in the reinvestigation. He was quoted by court records as saying her refusal "speaks volumes." According to the Daily Mirror - Main, Sturm described the judge's comments as 'inappropriate' and stated she was not required to review a case from 30 years ago. The review also noted that she declined to be interviewed by investigators.
The post-conviction review found no evidence that the payments and housing worth $17,000 to the mother were disclosed to the defense. Detective Carlos Vasquez, who discovered the case file while investigating another killing, became convinced of Ruiz's innocence, the review stated.
I feel like I can finally breathe again.
At trial, the teenage eyewitness's testimony shifted dramatically, according to the review, and she once identified someone in the courtroom audience instead of Ruiz. Despite three family members providing an alibi, Ruiz was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life by Judge Harold Rothwax, known as the 'Prince of Darkness', court records show. The review also noted that a federal informant admitted in 2002 to having paid someone, but the outcome of that admission remains unclear.
Ruiz said he felt like he could finally breathe again.
It is unknown whether Ruiz will seek compensation or if there will be internal disciplinary action against the prosecution.