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‘Central Park 5’ Raymond Santana
We’ve Got a Solid Case Against Trump!!!
Published April 23, 2025 3:45 PM PDT
Raymond Santana, one of the members of the Central Park Five, is expressing optimism following a recent federal judge’s decision to allow their defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump to proceed. This ruling comes in the wake of longstanding grievances Santana and his fellow exonerated men have voiced regarding Trump’s actions and statements since their wrongful convictions.
In an encounter with TMZ in Harlem, New York City, Santana highlighted how Trump’s involvement has plagued their lives since the late 1980s. Trump infamously took out full-page ads in New York newspapers in 1989, calling for the execution of the five, which Santana noted underscores the necessity of their legal action. The court’s decision to allow the case to move forward reinforces how valid their claims are against the former president.
Despite the passage of time, Santana emphasized that Trump has shown no remorse and has perpetuated misleading narratives about their guilt, even during the recent 2024 presidential debate with Kamala Harris. Trump’s assertions that the men had confessed to the crime, along with erroneous claims about the incident resulting in a death, have added layers to their legal battle and personal struggle.
The Central Park Five were wrongfully accused of assaulting and raping a female jogger in 1989. All five—then teenagers—contended that their confessions were coerced by aggressive police interrogation techniques, and they later withdrew those confessions. Their convictions were ultimately vacated in 2002 when another individual confessed to the crime, clearing their names.
In the recent debate, Trump claimed that the men had admitted guilt and had committed murder, despite the fact that no one died in the attack. This misrepresentation has fueled the fire of their lawsuit, with Santana expressing confidence that the court will see through Trump’s claims.
Santana, along with his fellow exonerates Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise, known collectively as the “Exonerated Five,” is pursuing the lawsuit for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.
Ultimately, Santana’s goal extends beyond financial compensation; he is committed to confronting the narratives that have unjustly affected their lives for decades. Watch the video clip for further insights into his perspective and motivations.
Source
www.tmz.com