Man Sues After Wrongful Conviction That Put Him in Prison for Nearly 30 Years

Gerardo Cabanillas, wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 30 years, is now suing South Gate and Huntington Park police departments for his unjust conviction.

At a Glance

Cabanillas was wrongfully convicted in 1995 at age 18 for crimes he did not commit
DNA testing in 2020 proved his innocence, leading to his exoneration in 2023
He is now suing South Gate and Huntington Park police departments for wrongful arrest and imprisonment
The case highlights flaws in the justice system, including false confessions and manipulated evidence.

A Nightmare Begins: Wrongful Arrest and Conviction

In 1995, 18-year-old Gerardo Cabanillas’s life took a devastating turn when he was arrested by South Gate police for wearing red pants that matched a suspect description. This seemingly trivial detail would lead to a series of events that would rob Cabanillas of nearly three decades of his life. Despite the lack of physical evidence linking him to the crime, Cabanillas was charged with 14 felony counts and ultimately sentenced to a minimum of 87 years in prison.

The conviction was based on a false confession extracted after a grueling seven-hour interrogation. Detective Lee Jack Alirez, known for obtaining confessions through promises of leniency, played a key role in Cabanillas’s arrest. The South Gate police allegedly fabricated evidence and manipulated photo arrays to secure the conviction.

The Long Road to Exoneration

For nearly 30 years, Cabanillas languished behind bars for crimes he did not commit. It wasn’t until 2020 that a breakthrough occurred. The California Innocence Project filed a motion to test DNA evidence, which ultimately proved Cabanillas’s innocence. In May 2023, he was conditionally released, and four months later, a judge vacated his conviction and declared him factually innocent.

“Gerardo Cabanillas had nearly 30 years stolen from him, at an age when his life was just beginning,” attorney Steve Art, one of Mr. Cabanillas’s attorneys, said.

The exoneration process involved multiple parties, including the California Innocence Project and the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón publicly apologized to Cabanillas at a news conference, acknowledging the grave injustice he had endured.

Seeking Justice: Cabanillas’s Lawsuit

Now free, Cabanillas is taking legal action against those responsible for his wrongful imprisonment. He has filed a lawsuit against the South Gate and Huntington Park police departments, naming multiple detectives and officers from both departments, as well as the cities themselves. Cabanillas is represented by the civil rights law firm Loevy + Loevy, which recently secured a $50 million verdict in another wrongful conviction case.

“False confessions are one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in the United States. Police are permitted to lie to suspects, including promises of leniency if the person confesses. That is exactly what happened here and, if it was not for the DNA evidence, Gerardo would have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Alissa Bjerkhoel, interim director of the Innocence Project, said.

While no amount of money can truly compensate for the years lost, Cabanillas has already received some financial restitution. In December 2023, the California Victim Compensation Board awarded him $1,447,750 in state compensation.

An Imperfect Justice System

Cabanillas’s case shines a spotlight on an imperfect justice system. False confessions, manipulated evidence, and coercive interrogation tactics continue to be major contributors to wrongful convictions. While advancements in DNA testing have been crucial in exonerating innocent individuals, the fact remains that many others may still be wrongfully imprisoned.

As Cabanillas’s lawsuit moves forward, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued reform in law enforcement practices and the judicial system. It also underscores the importance of organizations like the California Innocence Project in fighting for justice for the wrongfully convicted.