Case dropped against man jailed 25 years in tourist slaying
NEW YORK — After spending a quarter-century in prison on a conviction that got overturned, Johnny Hincapie was waiting to hear whether he’d finally be cleared of suspicion in an infamous tourist killing.
He got both a yes and a no Wednesday. Prosecutors said they’d dismiss rather than retry the 1990 case, yet they emphasized they still think Hincapie was involved in a subway mugging that ended with the deadly stabbing of Utah tourist Brian Watkins as he tried to protect his parents.
But even if not declared innocent, Hincapie said he’s “overjoyed.”
“I can finally, now, put this behind me and not ever have to worry about this, looking back, ever again,” the 44-year-old said, his voice breaking, as he left court with his family. He’d been freed since his conviction was tossed in 2015.