A death row inmate in California, whose case has garnered support from Oprah Winfrey, has suffered a setback in his quest for freedom.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Jarvis Jay Masters, 62, had his latest claims of innocence rejected by a federal court. Masters has been on death row for over 30 years, convicted for his alleged role in the 1985 murder of San Quentin State Prison correctional Sgt. Hal Burchfield.
The case has drawn attention from media mogul Oprah Winfrey and the victim's son, who believes in Masters' innocence. Despite recantations from key witnesses and claims of unreliable evidence, the U.S. District Court judge refused to exonerate Masters, leaving him to pursue further appeals.
Oprah Winfrey has been a vocal supporter of Masters, featuring his 2009 autobiography in her famous book club. The talk show host has expressed her belief in Masters' innocence, citing his troubled background as a young man victimized by various societal systems.
Masters was initially serving a 23-year sentence for armed robbery when he was accused of providing the murder weapon used in Burchfield's killing. He has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was locked in his cell at the time of the murder. The conviction has been controversial. The only men who connected Masters to the crime later recant their sworn statements. They claimed to have lied about Masters' involvement in exchange for leniency in their own cases.
Masters' case has been through multiple rounds of appeals over the decades. In 2020, he filed a claim for relief after gaining support from influential figures like Winfrey and the victim's son, Jeremiah Burchfield.
The legal journey has been marked by several key witnesses retracting their original testimonies. These include Rufus Willis and Bobby Evans, who had initially implicated Masters in the murder plot. Both later swore in statements that they had lied in hopes of receiving favorable treatment.
Despite these recantations and claims of coercion in producing incriminating evidence, state courts have consistently upheld Masters' conviction. The recent federal court decision is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for the inmate.
The case has created a divide within the victim's family. While Jeremiah Burchfield, who was only two years old when his father was killed, supports Masters' claims of innocence, his sister, Marjorie Burchfield, stands firmly against any potential release.
Jeremiah Burchfield expressed his frustration with the recent court decision, stating, "I feel sad for him. I'm very upset with the system." In contrast, Marjorie Burchfield, now a correctional officer herself, views the failed appeal as "good news" and has vowed to work against any future attempts to free Masters.
Despite the recent setback, Masters and his legal team remain determined to continue their fight. His attorney, Michael F. Williams, expressed confidence in their case, stating:
We knew this battle for Jarvis' exoneration from death row would not be easy, but we remain confident in the strength of our evidence and legal arguments.
Masters himself has vowed to appeal the decision, claiming that his civil rights are being violated. The case continues to attract attention from various quarters, including Buddhist leaders who have rallied behind Masters, who converted to Buddhism while in prison.
Jarvis Jay Masters remains on death row as his legal team prepares for another appeal. The case has highlighted issues of witness reliability, the impact of high-profile support, and the complexities of long-standing convictions. With conflicting views even within the victim's family, the controversy surrounding Masters' conviction shows no signs of abating.
