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Judge Vacates Murder Conviction, Orders Justin Wolfe Released

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 3:40 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Judge Carl Weimer vacated Justin Michael Wolfe’s murder conviction, leading to his release from prison.
The decision followed witness Owen Barber’s recantation of trial testimony linking Wolfe to the 2001 killing.
Prosecutors had withheld material evidence, prompting the federal judge to overturn Wolfe’s death sentence.
Wolfe pleaded guilty to marijuana distribution and entered an Alford plea to robbery solicitation, receiving time served.

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Story summary

Judge Carl Weimer vacated Justin Michael Wolfe’s murder conviction, leading to his release from prison.
The decision followed witness Owen Barber’s recantation of trial testimony linking Wolfe to the 2001 killing.
Prosecutors had withheld material evidence, prompting the federal judge to overturn Wolfe’s death sentence.
Wolfe pleaded guilty to marijuana distribution and entered an Alford plea to robbery solicitation, receiving time served.