Philadelphia death row inmate was never in the photo lineup that helped convict him. Now, he's FREE.
Scoop USA Newspaper|ScoopUSA Media, Volume 64 - Number 11
Daniel Gwynn found himself on death row at 25 after Philadelphia prosecutors said in court that two witnesses had picked him out of a photo array in a fatal arson case.
Maryclaire Dale
Philadelphia death row inmate was never in the photo lineup that helped convict him. Now, he's FREE.

The photo spread had by then gone missing, and his trial lawyer in 1995 may not have asked for other proof of the supposed match. But appellate lawyers who spent decades pursuing his innocence claims finally unearthed the police photo — with a federal judge's help — in 2016, and Gwynn was noticeably absent.

"He was nowhere to be found," said lawyer Karl Schwartz, who joined Gwynn as he left prison this week after 30 years, most of it spent on death row in western Pennsylvania. "It shocks the conscience."

Gwynn, now 54, joins more than 40 Philadelphians exonerated of serious crimes since 2016 and more than 3,500 exonerated across the U.S. since 1989.

This story is from the ScoopUSA Media, Volume 64 - Number 11 edition of Scoop USA Newspaper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the ScoopUSA Media, Volume 64 - Number 11 edition of Scoop USA Newspaper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SCOOP USA NEWSPAPERView All
Frederick Drew Gregory
Scoop USA Newspaper

Frederick Drew Gregory

He has achieved outstanding feats in the area of space, but when it comes to buzzing about achievements or giving credit to whoever is due, he somehow slips under the radar.

time-read
2 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes
Scoop USA Newspaper

Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes

Jason LaCroix felt privileged to work from home, especially as a father to two young children. He needed flexibility when his son, then 6, suffered a brain injury and spent 35 days in intensive care.

time-read
5 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Scoop USA Newspaper

Books of the Bible Mini Version Pt.1

Lord, Help Us To Study And Know Thy Word And Have It Embedded In Our Hearts. Amen.

time-read
2 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Blessed up, the story of a champion
Scoop USA Newspaper

Blessed up, the story of a champion

It's a journey of one man's heart, faith, perseverance, strength, redemption, and compassion that led him down a path to two championship titles and a professional career in the sport of boxing.

time-read
2 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Back in the Day
Scoop USA Newspaper

Back in the Day

Bokeh photo of the golden age dawns, a time of rebirth, where ancient wisdom returns to the earth indigenous ways, a guiding light's embrace, mother earth heals, in this sacred space. this is a time of change, a wondrous rebirth

time-read
3 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
How about if Canada annexes Blue America?
Scoop USA Newspaper

How about if Canada annexes Blue America?

Trump wants to buy Greenland and annex Canada as the 51st American state.

time-read
2 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Beautiful Black Melanin (Pt 1)
Scoop USA Newspaper

Beautiful Black Melanin (Pt 1)

“The most unique element of the ancient African societies was their melanin content.

time-read
3 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
2025 New laws now in effect in PA, NJ and DE
Scoop USA Newspaper

2025 New laws now in effect in PA, NJ and DE

Last week, in my Civics column, I wrote about some of the things a candidate must do in order to get on the ballot for the upcoming May 2025 Primary Election.

time-read
3 mins  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Scoop USA Newspaper

Our Mission and Values

Scoop is a for-profit Community Media Company that prides itself on its dedication to Community.

time-read
1 min  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3
Scoop USA Newspaper

Pennsylvania State Police open hiring cycles for Cadets, Liquor Enforcement Officer Trainees

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) opened a new hiring cycle on January 1 for women and men considering a rewarding career in law enforcement, beginning the selection of cadets who will train to become state troopers.

time-read
1 min  |
ScoopUSA Media, Volume 65 - Number 3