Imprisoned on a parole violation, the exonerated suspect in the Bryan Stow beating case is now free from jail, and happy to be reunited with loved ones. Giovanni Ramirez was released from jail Saturday in San Diego after serving 10 months for violating his parole. In a press conference held after his release at his attorney's L.A. office, Ramirez said of his experience over the past year in the justice system that he "thought this kind of stuff only happens in movies" and said his arrest felt like a "giant conspiracy," according to City News Service.
Ramirez also expressed gratitude to many: "I just want to say it's a big relief to finally be out and back with my family. I want to take this opportunity to thank God for my family, loved ones, my awesome defense team ... all of you guys, the press, and for the majority of most of the public in general who stood by me throughout this ordeal.''
But while Ramirez said he's "upset" about his arrest for the brutal beating of San Francisco Giants fan Stow in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, he also declined to offer his thoughts about the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD today issued a statement in response to Ramirez's release, and maintaining their position of having followed the book in regards to his arrest: The Los Angeles Police Department stands by its actions in the arrest and incarceration of Giovanni Ramirez. In this case, the LAPD followed standard, established police procedures throughout the investigation. Giovanni Ramirez was never prosecuted for the beating of Bryan Stow.
The statement goes on to explain how a tip led them to Ramirez, and they found what they believed was evidence linking him to the crime.
Ramirez, however, still maintains it was all a series of coincidences, and remarked he'd never been to Dodger Stadium in his life and was not much of a sports fan to boot.
The LAPD ultimately did connect the dots and found two suspects for the Stow beating. Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood remain in custody and are awaiting trial.
Stow, in the meantime, is recovering, and Ramirez wishes him the best: "My heart goes out to his family, everything that happened, I mean, even if they might have thought it was me at one point, I hold nothing against them,'' he said. ``My heart goes out to them and I wish them the best.''
