Men freed after ’95 murder convictions overturned

The star witness against them has since recanted, and a private investigator hired by state public defenders concluded the men’s DNA was not found on a cord used to tie the victim’s hands.

Gould said he never gave up hope.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a while, for a long time, but I always knew it would come to this day,’’ said Gould, standing in the sun as a free man for the first time since being sentenced in 1995 to an 80-year prison term.

Taylor, who is in chemotherapy treatment for life-threatening liver cancer, said he had a few simple wishes: spaghetti with a perfect marinara sauce and garlic bread, time with his wife and family and to “live, just live — live outside those walls.’’

The judge last month overturned Taylor’s and Fuger’s convictions in the killing of Eugenio Deleon Vega in his store and ordered the men set free. Their release was delayed until yesterday because prosecutors had 10 days under court rules to challenge the order.

Prosecutor Michael O’Hare said the state will appeal the ruling that threw out the convictions, but he did not oppose the men’s releases from prison in the meantime.

The two men had to sign promises to return to court if charged again, wear GPS monitoring devices to ensure they do not leave Connecticut, check in regularly with court officials, and avoid contact with the grocery store owner’s family.

Taylor’s attorney Peter Tsimbidaros said they hope prosecutors decide against retrying the men after they read transcripts of the 20 days of trial testimony. Since the judge has ruled that the testimony of the so-called star witness was perjury, it cannot be used again.

“I’m still hopeful the state will do the right thing and drop the appeal, but if they don’t, we’re doing to fight it very, very aggressively,’’ Tsimbidaros said.

The store owner’s family has not attended the proceedings and could not be located yesterday for comment.

The witness testified that she saw Gould enter the store and heard him arguing with the owner about opening his safe. She said she heard a gunshot and then saw Gould and Taylor leave the store.