Brian Pippitt, 63, was released by the Minnesota Board of Pardons on 7/1, after spending over a quarter-century in prison for a 1998 murder conviction. This decision followed a conclusion by the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office that "Pippitt should be exonerated."

Pippitt was arrested in 1999 and convicted in 2001 for the murder of Evelyn Malin, an 84-year-old sales clerk. Malin was found beaten and strangled to death in an apartment adjacent to her store on 24/2/1998. Prosecutors accused Pippitt and four other men of breaking into the store to steal beer and cigarettes and killing Malin during the robbery.

Despite consistently maintaining his innocence, Pippitt's numerous appeals were unsuccessful. He continued his legal fight, stating, "I cannot believe I am sitting in prison. The legal system should be fair and protect the innocent, but it failed to do so."

Brian Pippitt was released at 63, after many of his relatives and friends had passed away. Photo: Nytimes

In 2024, the Conviction Review Unit of the Attorney General’s Office released a report concluding that Pippitt did not commit the murder. Since its establishment in 2021, the unit has reviewed 1,151 cases, with only three recommendations for exoneration to date. The Attorney General’s Office noted that Pippitt’s case marks the first time the unit has recommended full exoneration for an individual still in custody.

Following a two-year investigation into Pippitt’s conviction, the CRU identified numerous errors in the initial prosecution. Investigators found that the case relied heavily on "unreliable testimony" from key witnesses, including other defendants who had plea agreements and were offered reduced sentences in exchange for cooperation. Two of these witnesses later recanted their statements.

The prosecution also relied on testimony from an incarcerated informant who claimed Pippitt confessed to killing Malin. However, investigators found this testimony contradicted other evidence. The report indicated no fingerprints, hair, or DNA collected at the crime scene matched Pippitt. After reviewing thousands of pages of documents and interviewing over 25 witnesses and experts, the CRU concluded that Pippitt was not present at the murder scene and was not involved in the crime.

After waiting nearly two years, Pippitt was released on parole by the Board of Pardons, though his conviction has not yet been overturned. Following his release, Pippitt continues his fight for full exoneration in Aitkin County Court. Speaking about what he most looks forward to in freedom, Pippitt shared his desire to "take a walk, look at the sky and the Milky Way." He hopes to get a dog and spend time with his family.

Tue Anh (according to Independent, KARE11)