Man Faces Deportation After Four Decades Fighting Murder Conviction and New Drug Case Emerges.
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam’s journey to exoneration has been lengthy, spanning over four decades as he tirelessly fought to overturn his murder conviction. Recently, after a Centre County judge vacated his conviction for the 1980 shooting death of 19-year-old Thomas Kinser, Vedam walked out of prison a free man. Despite this hard-won victory, Vedam now faces the unsettling prospect of deportation to India due to prior criminal convictions.
Vedam was released from State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon last week, following the decision of prosecutors in central Pennsylvania to not pursue a retrial. He had been convicted of first-degree murder in both 1983 and 1988, despite consistently maintaining his innocence. The case against him rested heavily on circumstantial evidence, including his status as Kinser’s last known acquaintance and the purchase of a handgun shortly before the murder. A bullet matching the caliber of the weapon was found in Kinser’s body, which led law enforcement to focus their investigation on Vedam.
A significant turning point in Vedam’s case emerged earlier this year when a judge determined that prosecutors had improperly withheld critical evidence during his trials. This evidence, an FBI report detailing the size of the bullet wound, could have raised doubts about the specific firearm employed in the crime. Given these circumstances, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office decided against retrying Vedam, citing issues including the elapsed time since the crime, lack of available evidence, and the extensive imprisonment Vedam had already endured.
However, shortly after his release, Vedam was taken into federal custody. He is at risk of deportation primarily due to a previous conviction related to a drug offense from the 1980s. Federal immigration authorities had issued a removal order that activated upon his release from state prison. Vedam is a long-term legal resident of the United States, having moved here with his family at the age of nine months, which complicates his situation even further.
Vedam’s legal team has initiated efforts to contest the deportation order. They argue that while the drug conviction may legally justify the removal order, immigration law allows for discretion based on various factors, including the age of the conviction and the strong familial support Vedam has in the U.S. His relatives, including an American citizen sister, are advocates for his continued stay in the country.
Behind bars, Vedam accomplished numerous educational milestones, including completing a master’s degree and initiating a prison literacy program, showcasing his commitment to personal development despite the challenging circumstances of his wrongful conviction. His attorneys assert that his past and significant contributions warrant reconsideration of his deportation order.
As Vedam’s case moves forward, the potential for an appeal and the eventual response from the federal Board of Immigration Appeals remain uncertain. However, indications suggest that support may be minimal, particularly from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has taken a tough stance on deportations.
The complexities of Vedam’s situation demonstrate the intersections of criminal justice and immigration policy, raising questions about fairness and due process for individuals navigating the legal system after long periods of wrongful incarceration. As his legal advocates work to secure his right to remain in the United States, the outcome of this case may resonate beyond Vedam’s individual circumstances, highlighting larger systemic issues within the U.S. legal framework.
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