June 3, 2010
Statement by Richard DiGuglielmo
Today I’m surrendering myself to the court.
I was very disheartened to learn of the Appellate Division’s decision last week. Twenty months ago the trial court released me after finding clear instances of misconduct – misconduct that prevented witnesses from testifying that the death of Mr. Campbell, while tragic, was justified.
I continue to feel a great deal of remorse about what happened on that day and I hope that the friends and family of Mr. Campbell will accept my sympathy.
For the past 20 months, I’ve been reuniting with my own friends and family, and trying to settle into a peaceful life.
Although I continue to believe the trial court’s decision was correct, I respect the process, and a therefore prepared to return to prison to serve out the remainder of my sentence.
I understand that my case is now being appealed to the Court of Appeals, and I sincerely hope that they are able to give it the same careful attention that the trial court did.
Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to spend my last moments before court with my family.
Statement from Andrew Schapiro, law firm of Mayer Brown, attorney for Richard DiGuglielmo, June 1, 2010
We are all devastated by the Appellate Division's decision to send Richard DiGuglielmo back to prison. The shooting of Charles Campbell was a tragedy, but it was not a crime. For coming to the defense of his father Richard served almost 12 years until Judge Bellantoni made the courageous decision to free him after finding that in the original trial testimony had been manipulated and evidence withheld.
What measure of justice does it serve to take a man who was wrongfully convicted in the first place, free him from prison and then send him back after 18 months of freedom during which he led an exemplary life with his family and friends. This is a terrible injustice, but one that we will continue to fight until he is free once and for all. We will be asking the New York State Court of Appeals to review this decision and right a terrible wrong.