Maurice Caldwell — 20 Years for a Murder He Didn't Commit
Maurice Caldwell spent 20 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. The conviction rested on a single eyewitness who was manipulated by a police sergeant with a personal grudge — the officer dragged Caldwell to the witness's door and identified him by name. Another man eventually confessed to the murder. Caldwell refused every plea deal offered during his 20 years, insisting on his innocence. The city fought his civil suit for 9 years before paying $8 million.
What Happened
On June 30, 1990, a drug deal went wrong in the Alemany public housing project in San Francisco, resulting in the murder of Judy Acosta. Maurice Caldwell, then 23, lived in the area.
After the shooting, a woman named Mary Cobb initially told police she didn't know the gunmen and that neither of them lived in the area. But SFPD Sergeant Kitt Crenshaw — who had a history of run-ins with Caldwell — brought Caldwell to Cobb's front door in handcuffs and identified him by name.
According to Caldwell's lawsuit, Crenshaw told Cobb: "This is Maurice Caldwell, Twone, the guy I've been telling you about."
Cobb then identified Caldwell as one of the shooters. This single tainted identification became the foundation of the prosecution's case. There was no physical evidence linking Caldwell to the crime. Other witnesses confirmed his innocence.
In 1991, Caldwell was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 27 years to life.
For 20 years, Caldwell was offered plea deals that would have secured his immediate release. He refused every single one. He would not admit to a murder he didn't commit.
Another man eventually confessed to the killing. In December 2010, a San Francisco Superior Court judge overturned Caldwell's conviction, finding his defense attorney had been ineffective for failing to investigate the evidence of innocence. Caldwell walked free on March 28, 2011.
Key Players
Timeline
Outcome
Maurice Caldwell refused to lie. For 20 years, the system offered him freedom in exchange for admitting to a murder he didn't commit. He chose prison over dishonesty.
Even after exoneration, the city attorney called him a killer. Even after another man confessed. The city spent 9 years and unknown taxpayer dollars fighting a man they knew was innocent.
Why This Matters
A police sergeant with a grudge contaminated a witness identification. A defense attorney failed to investigate innocence. A city attorney called an exonerated man a murderer a decade after his conviction was overturned.
Maurice Caldwell's case proves that the system doesn't just fail to find the truth — it actively resists it. Even when the truth is obvious. Even when another person confesses. Even when a judge overturns the conviction.
20 years. Zero plea deals accepted. Because Maurice Caldwell knew something the system didn't want to hear: he was innocent.