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Crime & Justice • Wrongful Conviction

Central Park Five

The Central Park Five were five Black and Latino teenagers—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise—wrongfully convicted in connection with the 1989 assault and rape of Trisha Meili in New York City’s Central Park.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Central Park Five were five Black and Latino teenagers—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise—wrongfully convicted in connection with the 1989 assault and rape of Trisha Meili in New York City’s Central Park. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after Matias Reyes confessed and DNA evidence matched his account. The men later became widely known as the Exonerated Five.

Background

The case began after Trisha Meili was brutally attacked while jogging in Central Park on April 19, 1989. The incident drew intense public attention and widespread media coverage.

Arrests and convictions

Police arrested five teenagers—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise—who were later convicted after interrogations and trials. They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from roughly six to 13 years, depending on the account.

Exoneration

In 2002, Matias Reyes confessed to the crime, and DNA evidence supported his confession. A judge vacated the five convictions, and the case became a prominent wrongful-conviction story.

Aftermath and legacy

The case influenced public debate about criminal justice, coerced confessions and racial bias. The men later received financial compensation from New York City and were widely referred to as the Exonerated Five.

Key facts

  • The case arose from the 1989 assault and rape of Trisha Meili in Central Park.
  • The five teenagers were convicted in 1990 and served prison terms before being exonerated.
  • Their convictions were vacated after Matias Reyes confessed in 2002 and DNA evidence matched his confession.
  • The men later received a $41 million settlement from New York City in 2014.
  • The case became a major example of wrongful conviction and police interrogation controversy in the United States.
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Canadian context

The case is often cited in Canadian legal and media discussions as a major example of wrongful conviction, false confession risk, and the importance of forensic evidence and police accountability.

Frequently asked questions

Who were the Central Park Five?
They were Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise, five teenagers wrongfully convicted in the Central Park jogger case.
Why are they also called the Exonerated Five?
That name reflects the fact that their convictions were vacated in 2002 after new evidence and a confession from another man supported their innocence.
What happened in the original case?
A jogger, Trisha Meili, was attacked in Central Park in 1989. The five teenagers were later convicted in connection with the assault and rape.
When were their convictions overturned?
Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after Matias Reyes confessed and DNA evidence matched his confession.
Did they receive compensation?
Yes. New York City later settled with them for $41 million in 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park_jogger_case
    Supports: Names of the five men, 1989 incident, convictions, and general case overview.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48609693
    Supports: Overview of the case, identities of the five men, and conviction details.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Central-Park-Five
    Supports: Wrongful conviction, exoneration in 2002, and $41 million settlement.
  4. University of Texas at Austin — https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/case-study/the-central-park-five
    Supports: Police pressure, interrogations, wrongful conviction context, and settlement.
  5. PBS — https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-central-park-five/about-the-case
    Supports: Case background, wrongful conviction, and exoneration.
  6. New York Public Library — https://www.nypl.org/blog/2023/02/01/exonerated-five-depth-look-their-journey-justice
    Supports: Names, wrongful conviction, and exoneration in 2002.