Free Philip Vance!

On December 22, 2002, Khalid Al-Bakkri, a store clerk at Sabreen’s in South St. Paul, was murdered. I became a suspect that same night.

Colleen McManus contacted her brother, John McManus of the Metro Gang Strike Force (MGSF), regarding comments a bar patron allegedly made. Investigators from South St. Paul and the MGSF immediately locked into a theory too early and followed me for nearly a month. Instead of investigating my alibi at the outset, officers executed two undercover wire stings using Melissa Stites.

First sting: Stites purchased a gun from me. This firearm was later determined not to be the murder weapon.

Second sting: Intended to elicit incriminating statements connecting me to the murder. The recording was inaudible, and the conversation could not be captured (or so they claim).

One week later, I was arrested by John McManus. This led to a week-long stay in Ramsey County Jail.

Charges were eventually dropped, but the arrest appeared orchestrated to create a third interaction with Stites after the failed second sting. During this time:

• Stites visited me in jail, despite not being on my visitor list.
• She questioned whether I had used the gun she purchased from me in any crimes.
• I refused to answer and left the interaction confused and alarmed.

This same day, January 23, 2003, I was approached and questioned for the first time by investigators—a full month after the murder. I was transferred to the Dakota County Justice Center.

I agreed to answer their questions without a lawyer because I didn’t have anything to hide.

During a 6+ hour interrogation:

• They kept feeding me details that they seemed very sure about. 
• Investigators repeatedly questioned me about alleged statements made to Colleen McManus and Stites.
• I denied making any such statements.

After hours of pressure, I stated: A month had passed, I had been intoxicated that night, I did not remember saying anything.

Investigators focused heavily on Colleen McManus. They insisted I would not be a suspect unless I admitted telling someone I shot a person. 

Under exhaustion and pressure:

• I became confused. I wasn’t sure what they wanted.  
• I just wanted it to be over. I began to cave.  
• I admitted I may have said something. 
• Eventually, I admitted I said I had shot someone, even though I hadn’t.

At trial, Detective Kreager testified that he used the Reid Technique—a method known for producing false confessions and banned in other countries. 

I have consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of the Sabreen’s murder.

During the same interrogation, investigators demanded a detailed account of my whereabouts at the time of the murder.

• When I could not recall specifics (a month later), they claimed this indicated guilt.
• In an attempt to cooperate, I offered different possible locations I believed I had been, even though I couldn’t remember.
• At trial, these inconsistencies were used to portray me as deceitful and guilty.

The truth:

Investigators refused to accept that I simply could not recall events from a month prior.

When I was confident about my alibi after seeing a football schedule, officers attempted to verify it. 

Darlene Walton could not clearly recall that night due to the time lapse. Investigators told me my alibi did not check out. As a result, my trial counsel did not call Darlene —or any witnesses—on my behalf. 

Additionally, Detective Kreager claimed my location could be confirmed through cell site data, but this evidence was never produced.

After the interrogation, I was released.

Three months later, I was federally indicted for gun possession (related to the firearm sold to Stites).

Ten months later, I was formally charged with the murder of Khalid Al-Bakkri.

Colleen McManus

• Claimed I told her I shot someone.
• Said she immediately contacted her brother.
• Later added claims (in her 3rd interview) after police spoke with another individual.

KJ

• Claimed she saw a masked man behind the counter.
• Heard someone yell in Spanish before fleeing.

Melissa Stites (CRI)

• Claimed I made incriminating statements during a wire sting.
• Received benefits, including dropped charges and financial assistance.
• Later recanted, admitting she lied and was coached by police.

Metro Gang Strike Force (MGSF) Officers:

• Claimed they heard me confess through a wire—despite no recording.
• Conducted multiple sting attempts; none produced recorded incriminating evidence.

Jailhouse Informants (JI)

• Multiple inmates claimed I confessed.
• All received benefits (reduced sentences or financial assistance).

Witnesses who later recanted

• RH: Later stated she was threatened; her husband faced incarceration pressure.
• DR: Admitted he fabricated testimony after reading my case materials.
• TrC: Admitted he lied at the request of MC for personal benefit.

Failure to investigate my alibi promptly. A one-month delay that resulted in:

• Lost surveillance evidence
• Missing cell phone records

Reliance on

• Unrecorded alleged confessions
• Incentivized witnesses
• Jailhouse informants
• Use of coercive interrogation techniques.
• Multiple key witnesses who later recanted their testimony.

Lack of Evidence

• No murder weapon
• No DNA
• No fingerprints
• No physical evidence
• The prosecution relied heavily on alleged confessions.

Prosecutor Kathy Keena emphasized witness testimony over lack of evidence.

• Incentives given to witnesses were minimized.
• My inability to recall my whereabouts (after a month) was used against me.

My defense:

• Advised me not to testify.
• Called no witnesses.
• Presented no defense.

I was wrongfully convicted because I was not given a fair opportunity to establish my alibi when it mattered most – the day I became a suspect.  Instead, investigators spent a month building a case against me.

• Critical evidence was lost.
• Testimony was manufactured, incentivized, or later recanted.
• If I had been approached the day after the murder:
  • I would have had a clear alibi.
  • I would not have been arrested, charged, or convicted.

I have now served 22 years in prison for a crime I did not commit.

I was railroaded. Investigators had tunnel vision.

This investigation was flawed from the beginning.

Who will take responsibility for the injustice I endure and survive every day?