This Week in Innocence News – August 25, 2017

Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Matador, a campaign against the international gang known as MS-13 in Long Island and New York. But WNYC reports that the operation is serving as a school to deportation pipeline for immigrant youth, many of whom may not be affiliated with the gang. WNYC

Governor halts Missouri man’s execution for review of DNA evidence
Missouri Governor Eric Greitens issued a last-minute stay on Tuesday afternoon for Marcellus Williams, who was scheduled to be executed that day at 7 p.m. for a 1998 murder despite new testing of DNA evidence pointing to his innocence. CNN

Exonerated Texas couple will receive more than $3 million in compensation
In June, Dan and Fran Keller were exonerated of aggravated sexual abuse after being wrongfully convicted of physically and sexually abusing children at their Texas daycare as part of alleged satanic rituals. The Kellers were told on Tuesday they will receive more than $3 million in compensation for the many years they spent wrongfully incarcerated. The Austin American-Statesman

On Thursday the Supreme Court of Kentucky affirmed a lower court decision vacating the 1995 murder convictions of Garr Keith Hardin and Jeffrey Dewayne Clark based on new DNA testing and evidence of police misconduct pointing to their innocence. Read more