22.

In March 2023, a Dallas County judge dismissed the murder charge against Santillan, formally clearing his name after more than 25 years of wrongful imprisonment.

At the time of his exoneration, Creuzot explained how the DNA evidence helped establish that the wrong man had been convicted.

 Bottom line is Mr. Santillan's DNA was never on the jersey that we know that the perpetrator of the crime was wearing,  Creuzot said at the time.

 Their evidence really consisted of a lone eyewitness,  said Paul Casteleiro, an attorney with Centurion Ministries.

The organization had championed Santillan's case for years, arguing that flawed police work and unreliable eyewitness identification had put an innocent man behind bars.

A long-awaited moment of freedom

For Santillan and his family, the March 2023 exoneration marked the end of a painful chapter that had lasted more than two decades.

CBS News Texas was there as Santillan celebrated his freedom, surrounded by loved ones outside the courthouse.

 Now it is, even though I've been out for a few days now, it's real... now, it's over!  Santillan said.

As he made his way through a sea of warm wishes and emotional hugs from family members and friends, Santillan eventually pulled off the heavy ivory sweater he'd worn to court.

Underneath, Santillan wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words  I didn't do it. 

For his family, the celebration was bittersweet, with years of missed milestones and losses that could never be recovered.

 It's been very hard, very hard,  said Mayte Cantu, Santillan's sister, as tears filled her eyes.  Sad [that] he wasn't able to be here when family members passed, especially my Mom. 

But outside the courthouse that day in March 2023, Santillan was focused on the joy of finally being free.

 That's the reaction - smiles,  said Santillan, showing a wide smile as he posed for pictures with his family on the courthouse steps,  Whole bunch of smiles.