David Ranta Freed from Prison

Served more than 20 years for murder he didn't commit

A New Yorker was freed Thursday after serving more than 20 years in prison for the murder of a rabbi that the authorities now say he did not commit.

David Ranta was sentenced to 37 years behind bars after being convicted in 1991 of killing an Orthodox Jewish rabbi during a botched robbery. He always maintained his innocence.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office announced an internal probe had found evidence unavailable during the trial that cleared the imprisoned man.