In a remarkable legal turnaround, William Woods, falsely accused of identity theft and false personation, has been declared factually innocent by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge.
William Woods was exonerated after enduring over 30 years of legal and personal turmoil due to a staggering case of identity theft.
Daily Mail reported that the real perpetrator, Matthew Keirans, adopted Woods' identity to execute various frauds, culminating in Woods' wrongful imprisonment for two years.
Judge William Ryan officially announced Woods' exoneration, highlighting the stark injustice Woods had suffered. He described the case's resolution as overdue and necessary.
The case unfolded over decades, beginning in 1988 when Keirans first used Woods' identity to carry out fraudulent activities, ranging from obtaining loans to getting married under Woods' name.
It was not until 2019, when Woods attempted to close fraudulent bank accounts opened in his name, that the full extent of the identity theft emerged, leading to his own wrongful arrest.
Throughout his trial and subsequent incarceration, Woods maintained his innocence, asserting, "I'm not Matthew Keirans at all." His pleas initially fell on deaf ears as the judicial system struggled to untangle the truth behind the identity theft.
Woods' wrongful conviction was eventually overturned based on new evidence, including DNA testing conducted by a University of Iowa Police Department detective, which confirmed Woods' true identity and led to Keirans' arrest.
Now, Matthew Keirans faces up to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges. Meanwhile, Woods has returned to Albuquerque, contemplating legal action against those responsible for his wrongful conviction.
In a recent interview, Woods expressed his relief and ongoing frustration, saying, "They should pay for every day I was in there. It isn’t right to be putting me in jail for nothing."
His sentiment captures the profound impact of the ordeal on his life, including a period of homelessness and his struggle to reclaim his identity and rebuild his life.
As this case closes, Woods' story is a stark reminder of the critical importance of diligence and integrity in the judicial process, ensuring that such errors are never repeated.
