In a powerful testament to resilience and the pursuit of truth, Bryan Hooper Sr., a Minnesota father, was released from prison on September 4, 2025, after serving 27 years for a crime he did not commit. His exoneration came after the key witness in his 1998 murder conviction confessed to the crime in a handwritten letter from prison.
The Case That Shook a Family
In April 1998, 77-year-old Ann Prazniak was found dead in her Minneapolis apartment, her body concealed in a cardboard box. The cause of death was asphyxiation. Bryan Hooper Sr. was arrested and convicted for her murder, largely based on the testimony of Chalaka Young, who claimed Hooper had forced her to act as a lookout during the killing. Young’s testimony, combined with that of four jailhouse informants, led to Hooper’s conviction and three life sentences.
However, in July 2025, Young, now incarcerated in Georgia for unrelated charges, sent a handwritten letter confessing to the murder. She admitted to killing Prazniak and providing false testimony that had wrongfully convicted Hooper. This confession prompted a review of the case by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the Great North Innocence Project.
A Long-Awaited Release
On September 2, 2025, Judge Marta Chou vacated Hooper’s conviction, stating that it was “tainted by false evidence” and that without this false testimony, the jury might have reached a different conclusion. The following day, Hooper was released from the Stillwater Correctional Facility. Outside the prison gates, he was greeted by his children, who had grown up without him. His daughter, Bri’ana Hooper, expressed the family’s joy and relief:
“Twenty-seven years of missed birthdays, missed milestones, holidays. 27 years of lost opportunity and time that we can’t get back. But today we don’t have to lose, we don’t.”
The Road to Redemption
Hooper’s journey to freedom was marked by years of legal battles and unwavering support from his family and advocates. Despite multiple appeals and legal setbacks, the Great North Innocence Project continued to fight for his exoneration. The pivotal moment came when Young’s confession provided the concrete evidence needed to overturn the conviction.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty acknowledged the miscarriage of justice, stating,
“We can never return what was taken from Mr. Hooper in 1998 and for that, I am sorry. However, we can do the right thing today, and today we are joining the petition to vacate Mr. Hooper’s conviction.”
Looking Ahead
Now a free man, Bryan Hooper Sr. plans to remain in the Twin Cities area to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family. His case has sparked discussions about the reliability of witness testimony and the importance of thorough investigations in the justice system. As the Minneapolis Police Department reopens the investigation into Prazniak’s murder, the community watches closely, hoping for justice to be served at last.
The exoneration of Bryan Hooper Sr. serves as a poignant reminder of the flaws that can exist within the justice system and the enduring power of truth. While the past cannot be undone, Hooper’s release offers a glimmer of hope for others who may find themselves wrongfully convicted.
