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A letter from a Georgia man convicted of murder led prosecutors to reexamine his case – and right their 20-year wrong
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 26, 2026
· 9 min read
By Andy Rose, CNN
(CNN) — After two decades behind bars and with few options left, Marquez Powell sat down several years ago and wrote a letter from a rural Georgia prison more than 100 miles from his Atlanta home. It would eventually help win his freedom.
After being prosecuted at the age of...
Key takeaway Powell convicted of murdering friend he had known since middle school For Marquez Powell, everything changed on April 18, 2005.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The case of Marquez Powell, a man wrongly convicted of murder in Georgia, raises questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony and the importance of thorough investigations in El Paso 's own justice system. As El Paso County's law enforcement and prosecutors work to build trust with the community, they must be mindful of the potential for false confessions and mistaken identifications. The fact that Powell's conviction was overturned after 20 years highlights the need for diligence and scrutiny in reviewing evidence, even in cases that may seem closed. El Paso residents should take note of the role that conviction integrity units, like the one in Fulton County, can play in ensuring that justice is served and that the wrongfully convicted are exonerated. As El Paso's own Conviction Integrity Unit continues to review cases, the community should watch for similar developments and advocate for transparency and accountability in the justice system.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Andy Rose, CNN
(CNN) — After two decades behind bars and with few options left, Marquez Powell sat down several years ago and wrote a letter from a rural Georgia prison more than 100 miles from his Atlanta home. It would eventually help win his freedom.
After being prosecuted at the age of...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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