After spending 30 years behind bars for a murder he always denied, Gordon Cordeiro was finally released on Friday following new DNA evidence that overturned his 1994 conviction. His first act as a free man was deeply personal—visiting his mother’s grave in Hawaii. Arrested just a month after she passed away from ALS, Cordeiro had often thought of her during his incarceration. Reflecting on his long ordeal, he expressed gratitude at her resting place, saying, “Thanks for looking over me.” Following this emotional visit, he reunited with family, enjoyed a steak dinner, and began adjusting to a world vastly different from the one he left behind, including the widespread use of smartphones.
Cordeiro’s conviction was based on a second trial after the first ended in a hung jury. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was found guilty of murder, robbery, and attempted murder, receiving a life sentence without parole. However, recent DNA testing on key evidence excluded him from the crime scene and instead identified an unknown individual’s DNA on the victim’s belongings. Recognizing the weight of this new evidence, Judge Kirstin Hamman vacated his sentence, leading to his long-overdue release. While there were emotional reactions in the courtroom, Maui County prosecutors intend to appeal and seek bail, prolonging the legal battle.
Now, as he adapts to life outside prison, Cordeiro is focusing on reconnecting with his family and reintegrating into society. He plans to help with his father’s home, fix cars, and contribute to his community in any way he can. Using an iPad and Zoom for the first time, he acknowledged the power of modern technology in proving his innocence, saying, “Thank God for new DNA.” While his future remains uncertain, his immediate goal is simple—embrace his newfound freedom and rebuild his life after three decades of wrongful imprisonment.