State College Man Fights for Release After 44 Years of Wrongful Imprisonment

Subu Vedam seeks bond hearing after immigration judge rules he can stay in the U.S.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary barbed wire fence or prison gate, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet melancholy and the lasting impact of Vedam's wrongful imprisonment.The prolonged detention of Subu Vedam, a man wrongfully imprisoned for over 40 years, exposes the lasting injustices faced by the wrongfully convicted.State College Today

Subu Vedam, a 64-year-old State College resident, is fighting to be released from federal custody after an immigration judge ruled he earned the right to stay in the U.S. Vedam was convicted of first-degree murder in 1980, but his conviction was later vacated due to withheld evidence. Despite the pivotal decision, Vedam remains detained as the Department of Homeland Security decides whether to appeal the ruling.

Why it matters

Vedam's case highlights the long-lasting consequences of wrongful convictions and the challenges former inmates face even after being exonerated. His continued detention raises questions about mandatory detention policies and whether they should apply to those who have already served excessive prison time due to constitutional violations.

The details

Vedam was convicted of killing Thomas Kinser in 1980 near State College, but his conviction was later vacated in August 2026 based on ballistic evidence that prosecutors had not disclosed. After spending more than four decades in prison, Vedam was then taken into federal custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the government sought to deport him. An immigration judge has now ruled that Vedam can stay in the U.S., but he remains detained as the Department of Homeland Security decides whether to appeal the decision.

  • Vedam was convicted of first-degree murder in December 1980.
  • Vedam's conviction was vacated in August 2026.
  • The immigration judge ruled Vedam can stay in the U.S. in April 2026.
  • The Department of Homeland Security has until May 4, 2026 to decide whether to appeal the immigration judge's ruling.

The players

Subu Vedam

A 64-year-old State College resident who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1980 and spent more than 44 years in prison before his conviction was vacated.

Thomas Kinser

A 19-year-old who was killed near State College in December 1980, leading to Vedam's wrongful conviction.

Tamara L. Jezic

Vedam's attorney who argued that he should not be subject to mandatory detention due to the constitutional violations in his original case.

Bernie Cantorna

The Centre County District Attorney who dropped the murder charge against Vedam after his conviction was overturned.

William S. Stickman IV

The U.S. District Judge appointed by President Trump who will rule on Vedam's request for release or a bond hearing.

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What they’re saying

“That raises the incongruous possibility that Vedam — a man who spent more than four decades in prison for a conviction that was ruled fraudulent, followed by more than six months in federal detention due to a deportation bid that was ruled unwarranted — would nonetheless continue to languish behind bars indefinitely.”

— Family Spokesperson

“This court should acknowledge that there should not be downstream negative consequences for Mr. Vedam because of the constitutional deficient criminal procedure which convicted him of murder and detained him for four decades. Mr. Vedam should not be subject to mandatory detention because he served more time in prison due to a constitutional violation.”

— Tamara L. Jezic, Vedam's Attorney

What’s next

U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman IV will rule on whether to order Vedam's release or allow him to make his case at a bond hearing. The Department of Homeland Security also has until May 4, 2026 to decide whether to appeal the immigration judge's ruling that Vedam can stay in the U.S.

The takeaway

Vedam's case highlights the long-lasting consequences of wrongful convictions and the challenges former inmates face even after being exonerated. His continued detention raises questions about mandatory detention policies and whether they should apply to those who have already served excessive prison time due to constitutional violations.