Key Ages and Dates at a Glance
The Central Park Five—Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, and Korey Wise—were all between 14 and 16 years old at the time of their arrest in April 1989. They were convicted in 1990 as juveniles and served sentences ranging from about 5 to 7 years. All five were exonerated and released between 2002 and 2003 after Matias Reyes confessed to the crime and DNA evidence confirmed his involvement. The youngest at arrest was 14; the oldest, Korey Wise, was 16. Below is a detailed breakdown of their ages at each major milestone.
Arrest and Initial Processing in April 1989
In April 1989, five teenagers were taken into custody in connection with the assault and rape of Trisha Meili in Central Park. None were older than 16, and all were younger than 18. Law enforcement interviewed them without parents or legal counsel present, leading to coerced confessions that later became central to their convictions. Their ages at arrest were as follows:
| Name | Age at Arrest (April 1989) | Sentence Received | Date of Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond Santana | 14 | 5 to 7 years | April 2002 |
| Kevin Richardson | 14 | 5 to 7 years | April 2002 |
| Antron McCray | 15 | 5 to 7 years | April 2002 |
| Yusef Salaam | 15 | 5 to 7 years | April 2002 |
| Korey Wise | 16 | 5 to 7 years | June 2002 |
Sentencing and Juvenile Convictions
All five were tried in family court as juveniles and received indeterminate sentences that were effectively 5 to 7 years, though they served slightly different lengths of time based on individual circumstances and early parole considerations. None received life sentences, but all spent their teenage years incarcerated. Each was classified as a juvenile offender at the time of both arrest and conviction, which influenced sentencing philosophy and record sealing after expungement. Despite appeals and continued claims of innocence, their convictions remained on record until vacated following exoneration.
Exoneration and Release Between 2002 and 2003
The Central Park Five were released after Matias Reyes, then imprisoned for other crimes, confessed in 2001 to the sole rape and assault, and his DNA matched biological evidence from the scene. The convictions were vacated in 2002 and 2003 by prosecutors and a judge, acknowledging coercion, misapplied forensics, and false confessions. By this time, the youngest members of the Central Park Five were in their late teens or early 20s, and Korey Wise, who had served additional time in adult prison, was released in June 2002 after completing his sentence. Their releases marked the end of decades-long imprisonment for crimes they did not commit, leading to later civil settlements and ongoing advocacy for juvenile justice reform.
Timeline of Key Events and Ages
Their experiences follow a stark timeline from adolescence behind bars to reentry as young adults. Below is a chronological view of their ages at pivotal moments:
| Event | Year | Ages at Event (Approximate) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrest | 1989 | 14–16 | Juveniles taken into custody; interrogations without guardians |
| Conviction | 1990–1991 | 15–17 | Sentenced as juveniles; incarcerated through their teenage years |
| Matias Reyes Confession | 2001 | Late 20s to early 30s | DNA evidence links Reyes to crime; scrutiny on prior convictions |
| Vacated Convictions & Release | 2002–2003 | 17–21 | Exoneration finalized; sentences vacated; civil lawsuits follow |
Post-Exoneration Outcomes
After release, the Central Park Five sought to rebuild lives disrupted by more than a decade of imprisonment. All five filed civil lawsuits against New York City, which culminated in a record settlement in 2014. They have since become advocates for criminal justice reform, highlighting flaws in interrogation practices and the vulnerabilities of juvenile defendants. Public recognition through documentaries and books has amplified their voices, though their primary focus remains on preventing similar injustices.