Man convicted in 1990 NYC killing of Utah tourist to get new hearing on his exoneration bid
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A man imprisoned for nearly a quarter-century in a notorious New York City tourist killing will get a new hearing on his claim of innocence.
A Manhattan judge agreed Friday to hear evidence that Johnny Hincapie (hihn-CAHP'-ee-ay) hopes will clear him in the 1990 death of Brian Watkins of Provo, Utah. The evidence includes a statement from an exonerated co-defendant saying Hincapie played no part in the attack.
The hearing will likely be next month.
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Defense lawyer Ron Kuby says he's confident Hincapie "will be able to demonstrate his actual innocence in a horrific crime."
The Manhattan district attorney's office declined to comment. Prosecutors have said there's "no credible newly discovered evidence."
Watkins was killed defending his mother from a subway-platform mugging while visiting for the U.S. Open tennis tournament.