‘Norfolk Four’ to ask Va. governor to declare them innocent
RICHMOND, Va. — Two former sailors whose rape and murder convictions were tossed by a federal judge plan to ask Virginia’s governor to formally declare that they are innocent.
U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. on Monday overturned the convictions of Danial Williams and Joseph Dick — two of the so-called Norfolk Four, ex-sailors who claimed they were coerced into confessing to the 1997 rape and murder of Michelle Moore-Bosko. The four men, who were stationed at the Navy base in Norfolk, Virginia, drew national attention when their innocence claims were backed by dozens of former FBI agents, ex-prosecutors and novelist John Grisham.
Don Salzman, an attorney for Williams, applauded the judge’s decision, and said the men now intend to petition Gov. Terry McAuliffe for full exonerations.
“Our work is not over,” Salzman said.