Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, aka Sing Sing’s former headliner (and I don’t mean voluntarily), has just been officially exonerated. You read that right – the 48-year-old actor spent almost a quarter of a century behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, all while building a resume worthy of an Oscar… in prison!
On Monday, JJ took a victory lap in a Manhattan courthouse, doing the most epic chest-pound-fist-pump combo ever seen outside of a Super Bowl. As his mom wept and shouted “27 years!” (because who’s counting, right?), JJ was busy being the star of the day, hugged by family, friends, and probably a few extras from his next movie.
You might recognize him from the A24 hit prison drama, Sing Sing, where he co-stars with Colman Domingo in a theatrical prison version of “Hey, at least we’re not really in here!” The movie brings together a group of actors who actually lived the life (including JJ) and now just play convicts for a living instead of, you know, being mistaken for them. The irony is rich!
Oh, and did we mention some Sing Sing VIPs were in the courthouse for JJ’s big moment? Clarence Maclin, Greg Kwedar (aka the guy who directs this drama IRL), and Brent Buell, the playwright played by Paul Raci in the film, all came to witness the man, the myth, the exonerated legend.
Cue the standing ovation, flag-waving, and chants of “¡Sí se puede!” as the courtroom erupted like they were at the World Cup. JJ, meanwhile, reminded everyone he’s not exactly thrilled. “I was kidnapped by this country and enslaved,” he told NBC’s Lester Holt, bringing the room back to Earth like a mic drop at a sad poetry reading. “This isn’t a celebration; this is an indictment of the system.”
Let’s rewind to 1998 – when Titanic ruled the box office and JJ was, well, wrongly convicted of the murder of a retired NYPD officer. Despite having phone records proving he was chilling elsewhere (seriously, guys, get your eyes checked!), the system said, “Eh, close enough.” He was handed a 25-to-life sentence that turned out to be more like a really bad sitcom that overstayed its welcome.
But wait – there’s more! Dateline NBC launched a decade-long investigation in 2002, because apparently, some guys thought maybe we should actually check the evidence. New stuff was uncovered in 2012, but the Manhattan DA’s office gave it the ol’ shrug and said, “Nah, we’re good.” Fast forward to 2021, when JJ finally caught a break. Then-Governor Andrew Cuomo (pre-disgrace era) granted him clemency, and after 23 years, 8 months, and 7 days (but who’s counting?), JJ finally walked out of Sing Sing’s door and into freedom.
Oh, and in 2022, President Joe Biden himself said sorry! Yep, the President apologized on behalf of all of us, because we all know saying “sorry” totally makes up for two-and-a-half decades of, well, prison. JJ appreciated the sentiment but pointed out that a “sorry” doesn’t exactly pay rent or erase the years lost. Still, when the President admits, “We goofed up big time,” it’s worth a mention.
In a joint statement, the producers of Sing Sing said JJ’s exoneration is another chapter in his epic saga – a story he’ll no doubt use to fight for others still stuck in the system. Because that’s just who JJ is: part-time actor, full-time justice warrior.
But JJ’s not just about shaking his fist at the system – he’s got some dreams too! Acting dreams, to be precise. “I get to make money, have fun, and be surrounded by cool people!” JJ said, probably with a big grin on his face. “What I always said I was gonna do in prison? Yeah, I’m doing that now.”
And guess what? His incredible story is coming to your screens soon in The Sing Sing Chronicles, a docuseries directed by Dawn Porter. So, keep an eye out, because JJ’s real-life plotline is one heck of a ride, and now that he’s free, he’s just getting started.
Catch the Sing Sing trailer and get ready for an award-worthy comeback like no other!