The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation

CASE UPDATE ⚖️

For the first time, our founder Jeffrey Deskovic argued a case at the appellate level — standing up for Eliseo DeLeon, a man fighting to overturn a murder conviction built on the work of disgraced NYPD detectives.

The weight of that moment is hard to overstate. Sixteen years wrongfully imprisoned before his own exoneration, Jeffrey now stood before the Appellate Division, Second Department, fighting for someone else’s freedom.

The case centers on a 1995 Brooklyn killing and an investigation led by former detectives Louis Scarcella and Steven Chmil — whose documented misconduct has helped overturn more than a dozen convictions since 2013. Jeffrey argued the identification of DeLeon was tainted from the start, that the lineup and a disputed “confession” DeLeon denies making can’t be trusted, and that with no physical evidence and no video, this conviction cannot stand.

The case is now in the appellate court’s hands, and a decision is expected in the coming months.

We’ll share more as it develops.

Listen to and view the hearing here: https://bit.ly/deleonappeal

New York’s Youth Interrogation Act / Right to Remain Silent Bill has advanced in Albany.

Current status:

S878C is in the Senate Finance Committee.

A2620B is in 3rd reading in Rules.

This bill would help ensure young people have access to legal counsel before and during police questioning, helping prevent coerced or uninformed statements.

Jeffrey Deskovic knows why this matters. He was only 16 when he falsely confessed after being interrogated without a lawyer or parent present. DNA evidence later proved his innocence after nearly 16 years in prison.

What you can do:

Contact your New York State Senator and Assemblymember and urge them to support and prioritize passage of S878C/A2620B.

Share information to raise awareness.

Encourage community organizations to advocate collectively.

Read more in the Public News Service article by Edwin J. Viera: bit.ly/nyyouthact

Protect youth rights. Prevent coerced confessions. Help prevent wrongful convictions.

This morning, The Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, through founder Jeffrey Deskovic, Esq., virtually presented oral argument in Eliseo Deleon’s case.

Eliseo and Jeffrey first met while incarcerated at Elmira Correctional Facility. Years later, Jeffrey is now standing beside him as an attorney and advocate.

Eliseo spent more than 24 years in prison for a 1995 murder conviction that was later vacated. His case has been tied to former NYPD Detective Louis Scarcella and Detective Steven Chmil, whose involvement in cases has raised serious concerns about misconduct and wrongful convictions.

After Eliseo’s conviction was overturned, he was retried and convicted again in 2022. Today’s oral argument is part of his continued fight to clear his name.

This is what the work of the Foundation looks like: standing with people long after the headlines fade, challenging convictions that deserve scrutiny, and fighting for justice one case at a time.

More updates to come.

Alaska, wrongful conviction is closer to home than you think 👇

Here are 4 things every Alaskan should know:
1️⃣ Alaska is one of just 17 states with NO law to compensate the wrongfully convicted.
2️⃣ A reform bill to pay exonerees per year served has stalled in the legislature for years.
3️⃣ It costs about $60K a year to imprison one Alaskan, so a wrong conviction hits everyone’s taxes too.
4️⃣ Alaska Natives in rural communities face the highest risk of all.

These aren’t abstract numbers. The Fairbanks Four served a combined 72+ years for a crime they didn’t commit. Exoneree, attorney, and advocate Jeffrey Deskovic served 16 before DNA proved his innocence. Now he’s coming to Alaska to tell his story and stand with the fight here.

Join the benefit and hear it firsthand. Every ticket supports the Alaska Innocence Project’s work to free wrongfully convicted Alaskans.

🎟️ Reserve your spot: https://bit.ly/supportaip
📍 The Nave, 3520 Spenard Road, Anchorage
🗓️ Thursday, June 4th · 5:30–7:30PM
💵 $50 admission · food included

Seats are limited. Grab yours and be part of the change 👇
https://bit.ly/supportaip