> At a Glance
> – Former Philadelphia detectives Manuel Santiago and Frank Jastrzembski were sentenced to probation for lying under oath in the 2016 retrial of Anthony Wright, who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder
> – Santiago received 2 years probation for perjury and false swearing; Jastrzembski got 1 year probation for false swearing
> – A third detective, Martin Devlin, was acquitted on all charges
> – Why it matters: The case underscores the legal consequences for law enforcement officers who testify falsely in wrongful conviction cases
Two former Philadelphia police detectives convicted of lying under oath during the retrial of Anthony Wright-a man who spent 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit-have been sentenced to probation, avoiding prison time.
The sentences, handed down on January 7, 2026, follow a March 27, 2025 verdict in which the detectives received mixed outcomes. While Devlin was fully acquitted, Santiago and Jastrzembski were found guilty on select counts related to false testimony.
The Sentences
Manuel Santiago, convicted of perjury and false swearing, was sentenced to two years probation. Frank Jastrzembski, convicted of false swearing, received one year probation.
The judge allowed both men to travel out of state and waived standard probation reporting requirements, citing their decades of service and the broader context of the case.
> “The court recognized the history of these two men, dedicated public servants, decades of work in law enforcement,” said Fortunato Perri, Santiago’s attorney.
The Background
The charges stemmed from their 2016 testimony in the retrial of Anthony Wright, who was wrongfully convicted in 1993 of raping and murdering an elderly widow. Wright’s conviction was overturned in 2014 after DNA evidence pointed to another suspect.
Despite the DNA exclusion, then-District Attorney Seth Williams opted to retry Wright. The detectives, called out of retirement, testified about Wright’s confession, which his lawyers argued was coerced.
During the retrial:
- Wright was acquitted after jurors deliberated briefly
- He later received a $10 million settlement from the city
- The city also paid $30 million total in related civil rights lawsuits
The Trial and Verdict
In 2021, a grand jury indicted the three retired detectives. Santiago and Devlin were accused of lying about the confession. Santiago and Jastrzembski were also charged with falsely claiming they didn’t know about the DNA evidence.
The March 2025 trial ended with:
| Defendant | Charges | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Devlin | Perjury, False Swearing | Acquitted on all counts |
| Frank Jastrzembski | False Swearing (DNA knowledge) | Guilty of 1 count |
| Manuel Santiago | Perjury, False Swearing (DNA knowledge) | Guilty of 2 counts |
Reactions
Brian McMonagle, Devlin’s lawyer, praised the jury’s decision:
> “Marty spent 45 years trying to right terrible wrongs and was innocent of these charges.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner emphasized the broader implications:
> “This verdict sends a very important message… You don’t know everything. The evidence knows.”
Key Takeaways
- Two detectives convicted of lying under oath in a wrongful conviction case
- No jail time-both received probation with minimal restrictions
- Anthony Wright spent 25 years in prison before being exonerated
- City of Philadelphia paid $30 million in related settlements
- The verdict highlights the legal risks for officers who testify falsely
The case closes a chapter in one of Philadelphia’s most high-profile wrongful conviction scandals, but raises ongoing questions about accountability in law enforcement.
