2 Conn. inmates whose murder convictions were overturned set to be released after 16 years

2 exonerated Conn. inmates set for release

VERNON, Conn. — Two Connecticut men are expected to be released from prison after serving 16 years for murder convictions that were overturned two weeks ago.

Ronald Taylor and George Gould could be set free Thursday morning after a hearing in Rockville Superior Court. Judge Stanley Fuger said in his March 18 ruling that the two men are innocent of the 1993 killing and are victims of “manifest injustice.”

Taylor and Gould were convicted in 1995 in the robbery and murder of New Haven grocery shop owner Eugenio Vega DeLeon. Both insisted on their innocence at sentencing.

State prosecutors say they will appeal the ruling that threw out the convictions but will not oppose the men’s release from prison in the meantime.