City council members in Atlanta, Georgia, are deliberating a $1.5 million settlement for a man who was erroneously arrested and imprisoned for nearly 14 months for a crime he did not commit. Keith Sylvester was taken into custody in December 2018 on allegations of strangling and murdering his mother and stepfather, as well as setting their house on fire six months prior. However, all charges against Sylvester were dropped, and he was released in March 2020 after authorities concluded he was innocent.
From the outset, Sylvester maintained his innocence, adamantly stating, 'I am innocent and had nothing to do with my mother and stepfather's death.' The case took a turn when evidence emerged pointing to another suspect, Cornelius Muckle, who was later identified as the actual assailant. Muckle's involvement was revealed through his cellphone being traced to the crime scene and his removal of items from the Hubbard home post the murders. He was subsequently arrested in 2020.
Reflecting on his wrongful arrest, Sylvester expressed that his mugshot should never have been taken. Following the tragic incident, Sylvester even assisted law enforcement in locating the true suspect by putting up arson signs in his neighborhood to help bring the perpetrator to justice.
The decision to propose a settlement in Sylvester's case now awaits final approval from the full Atlanta City Council, following the recommendation by the Public Safety Committee. This potential settlement serves as a step towards rectifying the injustice faced by Sylvester and highlights the importance of ensuring justice and fairness in the legal system.
