John Bunn (exonerated prisoner)

John Bunn is an American man who was wrongfully convicted of a shooting in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 16. He spent nearly 17 years in prison before his conviction was overturned.

Born in 1976, Bunn and his co-defendant, Rosean Hargrave, were convicted in 1991 of the non-fatal shooting of a corrections officer that occurred in 1990. The case rested largely on the testimony of the victim, who identified Bunn and Hargrave as the perpetrators.

Doubts about the conviction arose over the years due to inconsistencies in the evidence and questions about the police investigation, which involved Detective Louis Scarcella, a detective with a history of alleged misconduct in other cases.

In 2018, after a reinvestigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, Bunn's conviction was vacated. The District Attorney acknowledged significant issues with the original investigation and prosecution, leading to the conclusion that Bunn and Hargrave were likely innocent. Bunn was officially exonerated.

Following his release, Bunn became an advocate for criminal justice reform and works to raise awareness about wrongful convictions. He has spoken publicly about his experiences and advocates for changes in the legal system to prevent similar injustices. He also received a certificate of completion for his GED while incarcerated and continues to pursue educational opportunities.