Judge Overturns 378-Year Sentence for California Man
A California man, Ajay Dev, had his 378-year prison sentence for sexual assault overturned on Friday, May 23. The 58-year-old had faced 76 convictions but is now free on his own recognizance.
The Yolo County Superior Court ruled that there was significant evidence suggesting that the charges against Dev, made by his adopted daughter Sapna, might have been fabricated. Judge Janene Beronio noted that the accusations appeared to be a way for Sapna to "punish him and improve her chances of staying in the United States."
Dev has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. Judge Beronio expressed doubt about the validity of the accusations, stating, “I believe there is a substantial likelihood that he didn’t do this.” She also mentioned that the evidence could have changed the outcome of the original trial.
Sapna, who was adopted from Nepal in 1998 at the age of 15, had claimed that Dev sexually assaulted her multiple times over several years. However, during recent hearings, four witnesses testified that she acknowledged these claims were false or made out of anger. One credible witness stated that Sapna admitted to making the accusations in order to return to the U.S.
Evidence presented in court showed that from 1999 to 2004, Sapna frequently expressed affection towards Dev and his wife through cards and messages.
Dev’s attorney pointed out that he had a clean record before the charges and maintained good behavior during his 16 years in prison. As the District Attorney’s Office considers whether to retry the case, supporters of Dev have praised the ruling, highlighting Judge Beronio’s detailed examination of the evidence.
