“My cousin’s coming home”: Family of Cedric Warren celebrates his release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - More than 15 years after Cedric Warren was sentenced to prison, he was released alongside family cheering as soon as he took his first steps outside.
Warren, now 34 years old, had his murder case vacated after a judge ruled his constitutional rights were violated.
The Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) said on Tuesday that Warren was wrongfully convicted of murder when he was just 18 years old.
Warren’s charges stemmed from a double homicide that took place on Feb. 13, 2009, when two men, Larry LeDoux and Charles Ford, were found shot to death.
His long-awaited release brought joy, enthusiasm, excitement, and emotion to Warren’s family inside the Wyandotte County Courthouse all morning long into the late afternoon when he finally was set free.
Warren did not speak with the media, but family , including his cousin Brittany Robinson, spoke about Wednesday’s monumental moment.
“We’ve been fighting it. We’ve known he’s been innocent all along,” said Robinson. “The trial was not fair, we’ve been saying that since day one. We’re just glad the Innocence Project stepped in and gave us another chance and now my cousin’s coming home.”
His father said Warren would be going to the cemetery where his mother was buried and celebrate the moment with her too. His mother ed away while he was behind bars in 2018.
READ MORE: Wyandotte County judge vacates man’s murder conviction after finding evidence was withheld
He will now be able to celebrate the holiday season.
“We got family here, we’re here to , we’re going to celebrate. I’m trying to hold back my emotions but I’m very happy right now,” said Robinson. “Even if I don’t get any gifts, this is the biggest gift I could have got so I’m happy to see my cousin. I just can’t wait to hug him and shower him with love.”
Robinson said they’ve been positive he would come home at some point after the cuffs were locked on wrist years ago. It’s been a difficult journey but his life starts now.
“He just kept feeding us positive energy and holding us up and we held him up,” said Robinson. “It’s a good day.”
We are elated that Cedric Warren is being released today and will get to enjoy the holidays with his large and loving family. But nothing will ever restore what his wrongful conviction stole from him. Sadly, Mr. Warren lost his mother while he was in prison. Kathy Warren ed away in 2018. She knew her son was innocent, and she worried about him every day.
After 15 years of wrongful confinement, Cedric is extremely grateful to return home and close the chapter on this wrongful conviction. We are grateful for the dismissal of this case and believe it is a just and necessary outcome. Mr. Warren is completely innocent. His convictions in this case were based solely on the testimony of a single eyewitness who provided confused and conflicting s.
Cedric wishes, more than anything, to move forward with the rest of his life. He deeply appreciates everyone who has contributed in any way to today’s outcome. We arrived at today’s long-awaited result after prolonged proceedings. We hope that today’s result helps to widen the path to release for others in Wyandotte County who similarly suffered wrongful conviction and incarceration.
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