The Central Park Five

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On the night of April 19, 1989, a group of 30 to 32 youths ran around the north end of Central Park, causing trouble. A handful of people were attacked, beaten and robbed. Around 1:30 AM, 28 year old jogger, Trisha Meili was found naked and bound in the woods. She had been beaten severely and raped. Her injuries were to the point where doctors assumed that she would die. She was in a coma for 12 days before waking up. NYPD took to the streets, searching for the suspect(s) who did this. Since the group of teens caused havoc, the police were called on them several times that night. Investigators believed the teens had something to do with the assault and rape of Meili. Five black and latino teens were convicted of the attack on Meili. It was later brought to light that the NYPD coerced and pressured the boys into confessing to the rape. Some were not recorded or had wrote a written confession. At trail, it was said that they did confess on paper and camera. In 2002, all charges were dropped, as the five teens, now men, were innocent. Throughout the trial and even up to now, the case is connected to racial profiling, discrimination, and inequality, as the teens were assumed to be guilty based on their race and never got a fair trial.