Visual Evidence is Key in Murder Case

SPRINGFIELD MURDER CHARGES DROPPED

Updated: Wednesday, 24 Mar 2010, 7:50 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 24 Mar 2010, 1:00 PM EDT

* Anthony DiLorenzo

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Darryl Daniels was set to stand trial for a 2008 murder today. But in an eleventh hour move, the Hampden County District Attorney's office dropped the charges after realizing they had the wrong man all along.

“There was information that came to our attention in January and February that caused us to review all the evidence,” said First Assistant District Attorney James Orenstein.

The District Attorney's office is starting from scratch now on the murder of Jamile Guest and says no arrest in the case is imminent.

“There was certain eyewitness testimony presented before the grand jury, which was the basis of the indictment,” explained Orenstein.

It became clear in January and February the eyewitness as well as surveillance video mistakenly lead to the arrest of the wrong suspect.

The surveillance cameras that are outside the Honeyland Farms convenience store are what were able to clear Daniels of these charges.

“The person on the video is at least 6 feet or taller and Darryl Daniels is on his best day, 5'6" tall,” said defense attorney David Hodge.

On June 16, 2008, Guest was gunned down in the early morning hours in Springfield’s south end. Daniels was arrested a month later at the blackjack table at Mohegan Sun casino.

And while this isn't a get out of jail free card; Daniels' lawyer says his client is relieved, “and grateful for the fact this is finally over,” said Hodge.

Darryl Daniels will stay in jail. He's been sentenced to four years in state prison for a previous firearms charge.