Juan Catalan has been accused of murdering a teenage girl. For this he was threatened with the death penalty. But his lawyers finally found proof that he was innocent! Video footage from a sitcom, in which the suspect was clearly visible in the audience, eventually saved his life.
This incredible story happened back in 2003, but a true crime documentary on Netflix brought it to light again.
Man should be sentenced to death, lawyers find life-saving evidence
In 2003, a 16-year-old girl was shot dead on her doorstep in Los Angeles. The search for her killer led to Juan Catalan. Police claimed he was the one who carried out the murder on behalf of the victim’s ex-boyfriend and his own brother. However, the suspect insisted he was innocent. Because on the evening when the bloody crime happened, he is said to have been at a baseball game with his six-year-old daughter. An alibi that actually leaves no unanswered questions.
At least you should think so! Because due to the chain of misfortunes, there was actually no evidence that Catalan was present at the game. The result: the young man was arrested – he even faced the death penalty. For a whole six months he waited for his trial and thus also for the day that decided his life. Until a small miracle happened and his lawyers found life-saving proof that Catalan was innocent.
HBO sitcom as a lifesaver
As luck would have it, a sitcom was being filmed at the stadium the very night Juan and his daughter watched the Dodgers game. None other than legendary actor Larry David was in the stadium for an episode of his sitcom, Leave It Larry!, in which the accused was also. Luckily, Catalan even got to be seen sitting in the audience. This is evidenced by unreleased footage from the HBO series’ fourth season episode “The Dodgers Game.”
Based on the pertinent evidence, prosecutors were forced to drop the murder charges. Juan Catalan was released and received one Compensation of approximately $320,000. Although this incredible case happened almost two decades ago, it is still an issue today. Catalan tells his incredible story in the true-crime documentary Long Shot, also available on Netflix.
