Exonerated After Decades In Prison, Franky Carrillo Seeks To Be Eagle Rock's Assemblyman

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles man who spent 20 years in prison before his murder conviction was overturned announced his campaign Thursday to represent the state's 51st Assembly District.

Franky Carrillo hopes to fill the seat that became vacant Tuesday when Jimmy Gomez, D-Eagle Rock, was elected to the congressional post of Xavier Becerra, who became state attorney general earlier this year.

Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to call a special election to fill Gomez's Assembly seat, which covers Echo Park, Eagle Rock and parts of East Los Angeles.

"I'm running because I believe that every family deserves an advocate who is dedicated to helping them triumph over the challenges and unfairness in their lives," Carrillo, 43, of Echo Park, said.

"I believe I will serve as a beacon of hope and optimism, but even more importantly, I will serve as a fighter for fairness and justice," he said. "Because of my experience, I am uniquely positioned to represent families who are struggling to earn a living, find good schools for their children and maintain faith in the face of adversity. I know firsthand what it means to face hardship, and how important it is to know you have an advocate in your corner."

At the age of 16, Carrillo was arrested and later convicted as an adult of the murder of Donald Sarpy in a 1991 drive-by attack in an area of Lynwood that was home to two rival gangs. Based on eyewitness testimony later found to be faulty, Carrillo was sentenced to life in prison. He maintained his innocence, and his father testified that Carrillo was home at the time of the murder.

While in prison, Carrillo educated himself in the law and wrote hundreds of letters requesting assistance. Ultimately, a public defender took his case, and after a five-year investigation, key witnesses admitted they had been coerced to falsely accuse Carrillo, and they recanted their testimony. When the new evidence was presented in court, prosecutors asked the judge to dismiss all charges and release him.

In March 2011, the conviction was reversed by a judge after Carrillo had served 20 years in state prison. Last year, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to pay Carrillo $10.1 million to settle a lawsuit he brought againt the sheriff's department. Sheriff Jim McDonnell later issued a formal apology to Carrillo.

Two other men subsequently confessed to the crime.

After he was relased home, Carrillo earned a degree from Loyola Marymount University and became a justice reform advocate, supporting efforts like Propositions 34 and 62 to end the death penalty in California. He said he advises and consults with state legislators on efforts to protect the innocent and to offer redemption and rehabilitation for youthful offenders.

Carrillo is also on the boards of the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy at Loyola Law School, the Santa Clara University Innocence Project, the Anti- Recidivism Coalition and the Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative, according to his campaign.

On Wednesday, a community advocate who coincidentally shares the surname Carrillo announced her candidacy for the 51st Assembly District seat.

Wendy Carrillo, who unsuccessfully ran for Becerra's seat in Congress, said she is throwing her hat into the ring to advance "the values our families care about -- opportunity, equality and fairness."

"As a formerly undocumented immigrant who came to the U.S. as a young child, I know what it means achieve the American Dream -- to get a good education, to have access to quality healthcare and the opportunity to have a high-wage job," she said. "I will never stop fighting against income inequality and for those who need a voice in our political system."

City News Service; Photo: Youtube screengrab