Atlanta to pay $1.5M settlement to wrongfully arrested and jailed man

Keith Sylvester, wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 14 months, will receive a $1. 5 million settlement from the city of Atlanta after being accused of murdering his mother and stepfather. Arrested in 2018, Sylvester always maintained his innocence, insisting he had no involvement in the tragic deaths of Deborah and Harry Hubbard. His case began to fall apart when detectives uncovered evidence pointing to another suspect, Cornelius Muckle, whose cellphone was traced to the crime scene. Muckle had also pawned items from the Hubbard home shortly after the murders, further implicating him.

Sylvester expressed his frustration, stating that his mugshot "should have never been taken," and he even assisted in the search for the real killer in the days following the crime. The settlement serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of wrongful arrests and the need for justice reform. Local residents have voiced their relief at the outcome, emphasizing Sylvester's close relationship with his family. The case underscores the importance of ensuring that investigations are conducted thoroughly and impartially.