A woman who served 13 years in prison for a murder she didn’t commit was released on November 26 after new evidence cast doubt on her conviction.
Kimberly Hanzlik, 59, was found guilty in 2011 of helping a hitman murder an innocent man in the Bronx 25 years ago.
However, after a re-investigation, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office uncovered evidence that contradicted earlier claims that Hanzlik had been involved in the crime.
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Hanzlik had been accused of tipping off gunman Joseph Meldish about the location of Thomas Brown, a former drug dealer.
Brown had reportedly refused to lend money to Meldish and later reported him to the police after a burglary.
On March 21, 1999, Meldish entered Frenchy’s Tavern in Throggs Neck, where Brown was sitting, and shot him multiple times, killing him.
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Hanzlik was convicted based on testimony that she had been with Meldish and another man at the bar, where she allegedly pointed out Brown.
However, it was later revealed that Meldish had actually shot and killed Brown’s brother, Joey, who looked similar to Thomas.
Further investigation uncovered crucial evidence: the getaway driver, who had previously testified against Hanzlik, later admitted she wasn’t at the scene during the murder.
Additionally, Brown’s wife, who had originally identified Hanzlik as being in the bar, didn’t mention her until years after the crime.
The re-investigation also revealed that a former NYPD detective involved in the case had been accused of misconduct in a separate incident.
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Based on this new information, an administrative judge in the Bronx vacated Hanzlik’s conviction and ordered her release.
“I am just so happy and emotional,” Hanzlik said after her release. Her attorney, Irving Cohen, added, “We knew she was innocent from the start.”
However, not everyone was pleased with the decision. Eileen Brown, the widow of the man who was killed, expressed anger and disbelief. “If she hadn’t pointed out my husband, he’d still be here today,” she said.
