A Hawaii man was freed after spending 30 years in jail for a homicide he says he didn’t commit, and a number of the first issues he did after his launch was get pleasure from a steak dinner and go to his mom’s grave.
Gordon Cordeiro had his freedom secured on Friday after a choose ordered him launched in mild of latest DNA proof that led to the overturning of his conviction within the 1994 deadly capturing of Timothy Blaisdell on the island of Maui.
Cordeiro’s mom, Paulette, died in September 1994, a month earlier than her son was arrested. She died on the age of 49 from ALS, usually referred to as Lou Gehrig’s illness. Cordeiro and his sisters had taken turns caring for her earlier than her passing.
“Thanks for looking over me,” Cordeiro recalled saying at her grave simply hours after his launch on Friday, he informed The Related Press. “Keeping me safe.”
Gordon Cordeiro, who spent 30 years in jail for a homicide he stated he didn’t commit, visits the grave of his mom on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Makawao, Hawaii, hours after a choose ordered his launch. (Denise Cordeiro by way of AP)
Cordeiro stated he usually thought of his mom throughout his time behind bars. He stated he was along with her and constructing shelving models for the household when Blaisdell was shot and killed throughout a drug deal theft.
After having fun with a steak dinner at a steak home and visiting his mom’s grave, he celebrated with household at his father’s home. The following day, he went to different kinfolk’ graves and made a visit to Costco.
“It feels normal,” he informed The Related Press.
Maui, nonetheless, has modified rather a lot throughout his time in jail, Cordeiro stated, citing the historic city of Lahaina being destroyed by a wildfire in 2023.
He additionally identified that expertise and its consumption have modified.
“Everybody is looking at their phones,” he stated.
Gordon Cordeiro enjoys dinner at a steak home Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Kahului, Hawaii, hours after a choose ordered him launched due to new proof. (AP)
Cordeiro solely had a pager earlier than he was despatched to jail. He now has a smartphone, however stated he’s “not staring at it yet. It keeps beeping and messages coming in, and it’s different.”
Decide Kirstin Hamman introduced Friday that Cordeiro’s sentence was vacated and that he was to be launched from custody. She dominated that new proof, together with DNA take a look at outcomes, would possible change the result of one other trial.
Maui County Prosecuting Legal professional Andrew Martin stated he plans to enchantment and search to have bail imposed on Cordeiro’s launch.
Cordeiro’s first trial led to a hung jury, as just one juror voted to convict him. He was later discovered responsible of homicide, theft and tried homicide, and he was sentenced to life with out the opportunity of parole.
Gordon Cordeiro was freed after a choose ordered him launched in mild of latest DNA proof that led to the overturning of his conviction within the 1994 deadly capturing of Timothy Blaisdell. (iStock)
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After his conviction, new testing on bodily proof from the scene excluded him because the supply of DNA on Blaisdell’s physique and different crime scene proof, in keeping with the Hawaii Innocence Mission. A DNA profile of an unidentified particular person was additionally discovered on the within pockets of Blaisdell’s denims.
“Thank God for new DNA,” Cordeiro stated Saturday. “Technology is awesome.”
Cordeiro stated his quick plans embody fixing vehicles, serving to along with his dad’s home and “maybe giving back to the community a little bit.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
