Conn. judge rules 2 inmates exonerated of 1993 killing can be held pending prosecutors’ appeal

2 exonerated Conn. inmates held pending appeal

VERNON, Conn. — A Connecticut judge has ruled that two prison inmates whose convictions for a 1993 killing were overturned should be released but that the men can be kept in jail while prosecutors decide whether to appeal.

Judge Stanley Fuger ruled last week that 51-year-old Ronald Taylor and 48-year-old George Gould are innocent and threw out their murder convictions. His ruling came after a star witness recanted.

On Wednesday, Fuger said the two men will remain in prison for at least the 10-day period that prosecutors have to appeal the inmates’ release.

Gould’s lawyer told the judge the two men should be released in the interest of justice.

They’ve been in prison for 16 years since being convicted of killing New Haven shop owner Eugenio Deleon Vega.