“I’m Their Political Poster Child for the 2024 Elections” Says Sidney Holmes
By Kristen Hernandez
Pompano Beach, FL — Sidney Holmes made headlines again when major news outlets recently reported that Holmes is seeking money from the state for wrongful incarceration. Rather, Senator Shevrin Jones-D, introduced Senate Bill (SB6) to Congress, and voting is scheduled for February 2024. If approved, it’ll become law. Holmes, 22 at the time, was accused of being the getaway driver during an armed robbery in June of 1988. After being falsely identified by a secondhand witness, Holmes was given a 400-year sentence, and served 34 of them in state prison.
The bill contains several stipulations but will compensate Holmes in the amount of $1.722 million dollars for wrongful imprisonment. It also grants Holmes 120 hours of free college tuition but stipulates Holmes cannot hold the state of Florida liable. If he sues and collects any funds, he will have to pay the money back. Senator Jones did not respond to several requests for comment.
“I remember the day I was arrested like it was yesterday,” said Holmes, during an exclusive interview with Villij News. “We were having a family barbecue; it was like a reunion because everybody was there. It was a good time, because I was studying to be a medical technician. Then all of sudden, right in front of my family I was taken away in handcuffs, and I had no idea what was going on. What did I do wrong?”
Holmes wouldn’t see or hug them for the next three-and-a-half decades. The $1.722 million the state is offering, divided by 34 years of wrongful confinement, amounts to $50,647 per year, less than the average yearly salary for Holmes’ field of study. In 2022, Clinical Laboratory Technicians in Florida averaged a yearly income of $57,100 according to United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Weak Apology
Holmes believes he’s being used as a political pawn. “All the publicity and media coverage is helping them [politicians] for next year’s election to get their hands on another seat. They’re using me as a poster child to enhance their political career.”
Holmes first viewed SB6 during his interview with Villij News. He pointed out the “apology” verbiage on page 3 that reads:
“The Legislature acknowledges that the state’s system of justice yielded an imperfect result that had tragic consequences in this case. As a result of his physical confinement, Mr. Holmes suffered significant damages that are unique to him…due to the fact he was physically restrained and prevented from exercising the freedom to which all innocent citizens are entitled. The Legislature apologizes to Mr. Holmes on behalf of the state.”
Holmes said no one has verbally apologized for the terror and suffering he endured or discussed the bill.
“Nobody is telling me nothing. Everybody is making all this media coverage, and I wasn’t even aware of it,” Holmes said. “I’m not angry at anybody but I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed that they are trying to make a quick exit and just give me anything and that’s it. I am disappointed in that regard because I feel like I deserve more than that.”
A Lifetime Confined — “I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong”
“Before prison, I had a lot of goals and dreams, and I planned to accomplish them all,” Holmes said. “I was going to school, doing the right thing, but then suddenly it’s all taken away for no reason. That’s how the system works. It goes against you when you’re trying to do something right. But God always has a plan.”
Prosecutors initially requested an 825-year sentence, but the judge felt that was too excessive. They instead settled for 400 years. Sentencing in terms of years rather than life, which offers opportunities for parole, ensures the person would die behind bars. After the Florida Innocence Project reviewed Holmes’ case earlier this year, a new judge ruled that Sidney Holmes was factually innocent of the accused crime and he was immediately released.
“I lost my father. He passed while I was in prison,” Holmes said in a soft voice. “That was the biggest disappointment. I’m blessed my mother is still with me, but my father is gone. Now I’m home and instead of hugging him, I have to visit a grave.”
Four years ago, Holmes heard that his grandmother, the woman who was like his second mom, had died. “Because of the law, I couldn’t say my goodbyes to either family member or go to their funeral. You know, a 400-year sentence, that’s a high-risk situation because they probably thought I might try to escape or whatever. But escape was never in my mind. What is escape going to do? Ruin the rest of my life? No, because I didn’t do anything.”
Holmes has maintained his innocence since the day he was led away from the family barbecue in handcuffs. Now that he’s home and spending time with family, Holmes plans to coach young kids within Pompano Beach so they don’t fall into the same trap and get locked away for something they didn’t do.