Rollins’ Guilty Verdict Reversed : Jurisprudence: Former high school track star’s murder conviction overturned by appeals court.

The conviction of Offord Rollins IV, a former high school All-American track star who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend three years ago, was overturned Thursday by the 5th Appellate District in Fresno.

Rollins’ attorney, Jim Fahey, said the reversal was based largely on jury misconduct.

“The transcripts (of the trial) reveal a ghastly mixture of juror misconduct, prosecutorial misconduct and judicial error like I have never seen before,” Fahey said.

Rollins, 21, a 1991 state long jump champion from Wasco High near Bakersfield, remains incarcerated at the California Youth Authority facility in Stockton. He will remain there until authorities decide what to do with his case.

Fahey said the attorney general can file petition for a rehearing or seek a review by the California Supreme Court. If it chooses neither option, the case would be sent back to the Kern Country district attorney, Fahey said. The district attorney could seek a retrial or drop the charges.

During his senior year at Wasco, Rollins was arrested in connection with the murder of his former girlfriend, 17-year-old Maria Madera of nearby Shafter. He went on trial in March, 1992 and was found guilty the next month. He has maintained his innocence since his arrest.

Rollins was notified of the decision Thursday and did not know how to react, according to his former attorney, Timothy Lemucchi.

“I don’t think he can fathom what an important decision this is,” Lemucchi said. “This is a very big day for him and his family after a very difficult four years.”