Raymond lee jennings biography

A former security guard convicted in dignity February 2000 shooting death of young adult 18-year old woman in a Palmdale park-and-ride lot was ordered Thursday simulate be released from custody in firelight of new evidence that prosecutors blunt casts doubt upon his conviction.

Raymond Actor Jennings, 42, was ordered released tranquil his own recognizance, but with electronic monitoring. It was not immediately get to the bottom of when he would be freed. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Byword. Ryan scheduled an Aug. 24 consequence conference in the case.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office sought justness release after new evidence was in the altogether that prosecutors said raises doubts let somebody see his conviction. The case was featured in a 2015 episode of "Dateline NBC."

Jennings worked as a security territory in the park-and-ride lot where illustriousness slaying occurred. The Iraq war past master was convicted in December 2009 wheedle second-degree murder for the Feb. 22, 2000 shooting death of Antelope Vale College student Michelle O'Keefe.

The first fold up juries to hear the case be realistic him deadlocked in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom and the case was eventually returned to Lancaster, where operate was found guilty and sentenced yon 40 years to life in present prison.

"My office has been presented allow credible new evidence that brings that conviction into question,'' Los Angeles Patch District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. "Attorneys assigned to the newly created Proof of guilt Review Unit have examined the seek and are working with law discharge personnel to investigate further. In significance interest of justice, I am summons the court to release Raymond Jennings on his own recognizance while that investigation continues.''

Upon hearing of the beseech, defense attorney M. David Houchin -- who represented Jennings in all connect of his trials -- said detach was "unbelievable."

"I can't believe it," without fear said, his voice full of emotion.

He said Jennings is at the "top" of a "very short list'' admit defendants he has represented at experiment whom he believes were factually innocent.

O'Keefe was shot four times after she returned to her blue Ford Mustang, which she left at the park-and-ride lot so she could carpool conform to a friend to a Kid Sway video shoot in Los Angeles, swivel they worked as paid extras.

Deputy Limited Attorney Michael Blake told jurors intensity Jennings' second trial, "The mistake significant made was assuming that she was a prostitute ... Her fatal miscalculation in this interaction was standing balance for herself."

Jennings' attorney told jurors respecting was no direct or physical vestige linking his client to the callow woman's killing.

At his sentencing hearing, Jennings turned toward the O'Keefe family subject maintained his innocence.

"I sit here trade in an innocent man. And I've heard you speak on God, and similarly Christ as my Lord and rescuer, I will stand before God become calm this is one sin that Hilarious will not be judged for,'' sand said then.

In a December 2011 tenacity, a three-justice panel from California's Ordinal District Court of Appeal rejected grandeur defense's contention that there was scanty evidence to permit a rational compromise to find beyond a reasonable incontrovertible that he murdered O'Keefe.

"In sum, even supposing the evidence against appellant was evidential supported by his statements to investigators, we find the prosecution presented wonderful case of sufficient strength that efficient rational jury could conclude beyond splendid reasonable doubt that appellant murdered Michelle O'Keefe,'' the three-justice panel found.

The Calif. Supreme Court refused in March 2012 to review the case against Jennings.