Houston Man Exonerated After 3.5 Years Behind Bars

A Houston A man who spent more than three years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit is now suing the city and two police officers, claiming his arrest was based on flawed evidence and a rushed investigation.

Imagine waking up one day to find your life upended by being accused of a murder you know you didn’t commit. It was a nightmare reality for the Houston native Jeffery Archangelwho spent three and a half years in prison and another year and a half under house arrest, only for prosecutors to drop all charges a week before his trial.

Now, Archangel is suing the City of Houston and two police officers, accusing them of botched investigations that turned his life upside down.

According to Fox 26 Houston, Jeffery Archangel was charged in 2017 with the murder of Javier Flores, the 18-year-old shot and killed during a robbery of a Subway restaurant. Prosecutors dropped all charges against Archangel in 2022, just a week before his trial, citing missing witnesses.

“I was under house arrest 24 hours a year and a half. Seven days before my trial, they released me,” said Archangel Fox 26 Houston.

Now, Archangel, 30, has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Houston and the police officers who investigated the case.

Justice Eludes Both Victim’s Family and Exonerated Houston Man

The tragedy began in February 2017 when Flores was shot dead while protecting his mother, Hilda Vazquez, during an armed robbery at the Subway where they worked. According to Fox 26 Houston, Flores’ death made national headlines, prompting a manhunt for two masked suspects caught on surveillance footage.

In April 2017, investigators received a tip involving Derrick Welch, who was dating Archangel’s sister. Fox 26 Houston said police found a vehicle at the residence that matched the suspect’s vehicle in the robbery. Welch was interviewed and admitted that Archangel was involved, which led to his arrest.

Archangel, who refused to get involved from the beginning, turned himself in with the help of activist Quanell X.

“On both sides, it’s a tragedy,” Archangel said. “Nobody gets justice. Nobody wins. Nobody wins in that kind of situation.”

Archangel’s life became a tragic parallel to the Flores family’s grief. While they mourned the young hero, Archangel sat in a prison cell accused of a crime he had no part in.

Flawed Investigation Sparks Lawsuit Against Houston Police

The investigation of Archangel is riddled with red flags that his defense attorney, Mike Fosher, says should have cleared him from the beginning. From questionable photo arrangements to physical evidence police ignored, Archangel’s name was dragged through the mud. Fosher revealed several key pieces of evidence that cast doubt on his client’s involvement.

According to Fox 26 Houston, The police presented an array of photos to the robbery victim with a faded image of Archangel from when he was 16, despite having access to more recent photos.

“When we published the photo – at the time, Jeffery was 25 years old. But the police used the picture to spread the photo when he was 16,” Fosher told Fox 26 Houston.

In addition, Fox 26 Houston reported that the security footage also showed the suspect lack of tattoos on their hands, while Archangel’s right hand is covered with tattoos.os.

“You can see the backs of their hands; they don’t have tattoos,” Fosher said.

If that wasn’t enough, the DNA found in the suspect’s car did not belong to Archangel. It matched another man, Derrick Welch, who lived with Archangel and his sister. Welch, later killed in 2018, claimed Archangel was involved in the crime, a claim Archangel has repeatedly denied.

What a major oversight!

Despite these inconsistencies, Archangel spent 3.5 years in prison and another 1.5 years under house arrest before prosecutors dropped the charges.

In September 2024, Archangel and his lawyer, Andino Reynal, filed a lawsuit alleging that the police rushed to judgment and ignored evidence that showed his innocence. Reynal shared with Fox 26 Houston there is another story:

“This is not an isolated situation. Unfortunately, the officers have tunnel vision, putting the cart before the horse,” said Reynal.

The city of Houston has filed a motion to dismiss the case, saying the two-year statute of limitations bars Archangel’s claim.

Exonerated Musicians Fight to Rebuild Life After Legal Nightmare

Before his arrest, Archangel was a musician known as “Skylar Jones,” preparing to sign a record deal in New York. His career was derailed by false accusations, leaving him to rebuild his life at 30.

Archangel said to you Fox 26 Houston,

“I’m 30 now, and the game I want to play, it’s a youth game. I have to rebrand my person, find who I want to be, find something that drives me, gives me the same passion.

Despite his exoneration, Archangel said the real tragedy is that no one receives justice-not him or Flores’ family.

“We really appreciate the DA dismissing the case — which they should have done — but I don’t agree with the reasons for the dismissal,” Fosher said. The charges were dropped due to a “missing witness,” a reason Archangel’s defense team believed was an attempt to cover up police misconduct.

Archangel hopes his story shines a light on systemic flaws in law enforcement and inspires hope for those wrongly accused. Too many stories look similar to this one.

Is there really a justice system?

BOSS remain committed to sharing this story update.