David Warren, left, and Eric Smokes.Photo:Susan Watts/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

David Warren, left, and Eric Smokes, photographed on June 20, 2017, contend that they did not commit the 1987 murder that landed them both in prison for decades.

Susan Watts/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Two best friends, who in 1987 were convicted of a murder in New York City they never committed and served more than 20 years in prison, had their convictions overturned this week.

Eric Smokes, now 56, and David Warren, 53, had been found guilty of murdering Jean Casse, a French tourist who was attacked and killed early in the morning of New Year’s Day 1987 near Times Square, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said in a release Wednesday.

Smokes was 19 at the time of the attack, while Warren was 16. The pair, who have been friends since childhood, maintained that while they were in Manhattan that night to watch the ball drop, they never went above 48th Street,TheNew York Timesreported, citing court documents. Casse was killed on 52nd Street.

Still, both Smokes and Warren were convicted after witnesses claimed they were at the scene, and the pair were sentenced to 15 years to life in prison,NBC New Yorkreported. Warren was paroled in 2007 while Smokes was released in 2011.

Eric Smokes, left, and David Warren.Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images

Eric Smokes, left, and David Warren, right, speak to the media outside Manhattan Criminal Court being found not guilty of the 1987 slaying of a French Tourist Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024 in Manhattan, New York.

Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images

A motion to dismiss the convictions was denied in 2020, court records indicate, but a year later the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, under new DA Alvin Bragg began reinvestigating the case, as part of the newly established Post-Conviction Justice Unit.

After finding numerous issues with the investigation, Bragg recommended that both men’s convictions be overturned.

Court records indicate that on Wednesday, State Supreme Court Judge Stephen Antignani vacated the convictions, thus formally clearing the names of both Smokes and Warren.

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NBC New York reported that Warren and Smokes intend to file a civil lawsuit.

“There was tunnel vision, but we were never going to stop fighting until we took our last breath,” Smokes said according to the outlet.

Despite the ordeal, Smokes and Warren have remained close friends,ABC 7reported.

source: people.com