IMO, this is about two things: FACTS and the SPEED inwhich the justice system works. It's as simple as that.
The FACTS were on his side, the SPEED inwhich the justice system works was not.
But according to witnesses, the gunman got into a waiting car, which police contended could have covered eight blocks in that time.
On April 26, Franks was fetched from prison for a preliminary hearing, which by law must be assigned within 14 days of arrest. But in Philadelphia courts, awash in criminal cases, first hearings are almost always postponed. This one was, to May 13.
If someone wanted to construct an alibi, (which happens all the time) go someplace where you know you will be caught on tape.
SO, the fact that he was seen on tape eight blocks away is not an open and shut case when considering the other factors...NAMELY the facts that he was dressed identically to witness discriptions AND the fact that he had BLOOD ON HIS SHOES. Also, it wasn't like witness described a guy in blue jeans and a T-shirt, they described a guy in a GREEN SWEAT SUIT with a WHITE STRIPE.....(not very often that I see two guys in GREEN sweat suits in close proximity to one another unless they are on the same sports team).
If the victim was my family member, obviously I would want to get the right man, but had they let a suspect go just because he was caught on tape 8 blocks away within a few minutes of the shooting when he was 1) Seen getting into a car and speeding off which could have gotten him there in that amount of time. 2) dressed identically to witness description 3) The outfit was relatively uncommon & 4) he had blood on his shoes which was immediately determined to be human, I WOULD BE TICKED!!!