20/20: True Crime Vault - One Night in Central Park

Host: ABC News
Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction

The "True Crime Vault: One Night in Central Park" episode delves into one of New York City's most harrowing and controversial cases: the Central Park Jogger attack of April 19, 1989. This detailed exploration examines the events leading up to the crime, the intense investigation, wrongful convictions, media influence, and the eventual exoneration of the Central Park Five. Through firsthand accounts, interviews, and investigative reporting, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of how racial tensions and systemic flaws contributed to a miscarriage of justice.

Background Context

[00:00 - 05:00]
The episode sets the scene in late 1980s New York City, a period marked by rampant crime, racial tensions, and the emergence of the crack epidemic. Central Park, once a symbol of urban recreation, had deteriorated into a hotspot for criminal activity and fear.

• Narrator: "Thirty years ago, this was a crime that took New York City apart. A case that really shocked this country."

The Crime and Immediate Aftermath

[05:01 - 15:00]
On the night of April 19, 1989, Trisha Meili, a 28-year-old investment banker, was brutally attacked while jogging in Central Park. The assault left her with severe injuries, including a fractured skull and deep lacerations.

• Trisha Meili: "I was raped, beaten, and left for dead." (05:45)

First responders and bystanders discovered her near death in a ravine. The community was plunged into fear and outrage, exacerbated by existing racial tensions.

Investigation and Arrests

[15:01 - 30:00]
The Manhattan District Attorney's office, led by Elizabeth Lederer, launched a vigorous investigation. Under immense public and political pressure, five young men of color—Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCrae, and Korey Wise—were arrested and later known as the Central Park Five.

• Police Officer: "If they're found guilty, I think they should be executed." (12:30)

Public figures, including then-businessman Donald Trump, amplified the hysteria, advocating for severe punishments without substantial evidence.

• Donald Trump: "It should be played out in a court of law, not in the newspapers, not on TV." (25:15)

Interrogations and Confessions

[30:01 - 50:00]
The arrested teenagers underwent intense interrogations, often lasting hours without proper legal representation. Many confessed to the crimes under duress, despite inconsistencies and lack of physical evidence linking them to the assault.

• Raymond Santana: "They slapped his hands, and we were scared." (35:20)
• Cory Wise: "If you don't get words out, you're gonna be implicated." (42:10)

These confessions were later revealed to be coerced, with intermittent threats and promises fueling false admissions of guilt.

Trial and Convictions

[50:01 - 1:15:00]
The prosecution's case heavily relied on these dubious confessions. During the trials, Trisha Meili testified about her attack, but she had limited memory of the event due to the trauma.

• Trisha Meili: "I was on the ground, barely conscious." (1:05:30)

Despite the lack of DNA evidence and inconsistencies in the defendants' stories, all five were convicted of rape and assault, receiving sentences ranging from five to fifteen years.

• Prosecutor: "These kids attacked a woman. There's proof they were innocent." (1:10:45)

Media Influence and Public Perception

[1:15:01 - 1:30:00]
The media played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, often portraying the defendants as violent criminals. Sensational reporting and biased narratives fueled racial fears, making it difficult for the defendants to receive fair treatment.

• Media Analyst: "The term 'wilding' became synonymous with terror, demonizing these young men." (1:20:10)

New Evidence and Exoneration

[1:30:01 - 1:45:00]
Thirteen years later, Matthias Reyes, a convicted serial rapist, confessed to committing the Central Park Jogger attack alone. His DNA matched evidence from the crime scene, leading to the vacating of the Central Park Five's convictions.

• Matthias Reyes: "I did some real bad things to so many people." (1:35:50)
• Manhattan District Attorney Robin Morgenthau: "The convictions have been set aside in their entirety." (1:40:25)

Aftermath and Settlements

[1:45:01 - 2:00:00]
The Central Park Five received a $41 million settlement from the city, acknowledging their wrongful convictions. However, the psychological and social repercussions of their tenures in prison remained profound.

• Yusef Salaam: "This film has given us our lives back." (1:55:30)
• Corey Wise: "Being away for so long crippled me." (1:58:40)

Current Reflections and Lessons

[2:00:01 - End]
The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring impact of the Central Park Jogger case. It underscores the necessity for legal reforms, including fully recorded interrogations and heightened awareness of coerced confessions. The story serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic issues within the justice system and the ongoing struggle against racial prejudice.

• Trisha Meili: "Could something like the Central Park Five case happen again? Absolutely." (2:10:15)
• Host Narration: "The Central Park Five raises questions that we're still answering today." (2:12:30)

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Flaws: The Central Park Five case highlights significant issues within the criminal justice system, including coerced confessions and racial bias.

• Media Responsibility: Sensationalist media coverage can exacerbate public fear and influence judicial outcomes unfairly.

• Legal Reforms: Ensuring transparency in interrogations and protecting the rights of the accused are crucial steps to prevent miscarriages of justice.

• Enduring Impact: The wrongful convictions had lasting effects on the lives of the Central Park Five and the community, emphasizing the need for accountability and healing.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Trisha Meili: "I was raped, beaten, and left for dead." (05:45)

• Donald Trump: "It should be played out in a court of law, not in the newspapers, not on TV." (25:15)

• Raymond Santana: "They slapped his hands, and we were scared." (35:20)

• Corey Wise: "If you don't get words out, you're gonna be implicated." (42:10)

• Matthias Reyes: "I did some real bad things to so many people." (1:35:50)

• Manhattan District Attorney Robin Morgenthau: "The convictions have been set aside in their entirety." (1:40:25)

• Yusef Salaam: "This film has given us our lives back." (1:55:30)

• Host Narration: "The Central Park Five raises questions that we're still answering today." (2:12:30)

Conclusion

"True Crime Vault: One Night in Central Park" offers a compelling examination of how fear, prejudice, and systemic failures can converge to unjustly condemn innocent individuals. By revisiting the Central Park Jogger case, the episode not only recounts a significant chapter in criminal justice history but also serves as a catalyst for ongoing discussions about equity, reform, and the pursuit of true justice.