10 Criminals Who Have Surprisingly Been Released

10 Criminals Who Have Surprisingly Released Out into the World

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most notorious convicted criminals who, for one reason or another, were unexpectedly released from prison.

Desmond Lee

Desmond Lee was barely an adult when he was first arrested in 1990 for the murder of his landlady, Shirley Carr. Lee maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty but he was ultimately convicted and handed a life sentence. After serving only 14 years, Lee was released on lifelong parole in 2004. That decision may have come as a shock to Carr’s family, but Lee’s subsequent actions most likely wouldn’t have. Less than five years later, Lee found himself charged with yet another murder. This time, that of his partner Christopher Pratt. Lee claimed the death was the result of a freak accident, but a jury disagreed, convicting him of murder and imposing a whole life sentence.

Aleksandr Rubel

Between 1997 and 1998, Aleksandr Rubel, then a teenager, committed a series of violent murders in Tallinn, Estonia, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. His first murder occurred on September 19th 1997, while he was under the influence of gasoline vapors and driven by an uncontrollable urge to kill. That urge was seemingly never satisfied, as he continued to take lives, with one case even involving the assistance of his father Andrei Rubel. Due to his status as a minor at the time, Rubel was only sentenced to eight years imprisonment, the maximum penalty allowed. He was released in 2006 and reportedly still resides in Estonia, although under a different name.

Vince Li

The killing of 22-year-old Tim McLean by Vince Li remains one of Canada’s most disturbing murders. It occurred on July 30th 2008, during a bus trip from Edmonton to Winnipeg. While McLean was asleep, Li, another passenger, inexplicably took out a large knife and fatally stabbed him. He then proceeded to commit unspeakable acts on McLean’s remains as the horrified driver and passengers, who had all fled the bus earlier, looked on in terror. Li was eventually arrested but was deemed not criminally responsible due to being diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was confined to a mental health institution where he remained until his release in 2017. Li currently lives as a free man, under the new identity of Will Lee Baker.

Juha Valjakkala

Regarded as one of Finland’s most notorious criminals, Juha Valjakkala gained infamy for a 1998 triple homicide in Åmsele, Sweden. Valjakkala had stolen a bike and was chased down to a local cemetery by the owners, Sten Nilsson and his son Fredrik. There, Valjakkala fatally shot both of them and later killed Fredrik’s mother Ewa, when she went looking for her husband and son. He was given a life sentence, during which he escaped from prison four times. Despite his history, Valjakkala was released on parole in February 2008, only to be rearrested just two months later for a slew of new offenses. Eventually adopting the name Nikita Bergenström, Valjakkala passed away in 2023, although it is unclear if he died in prison.

Brian Lansing Martin

In October 2021, Brian Lansing Martin led Sheffield, Alabama police on a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of one officer and severe injury to another. But this wasn’t Martin’s first run-in with the law. Back in 2013, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter for killing his own father and received a 10-year prison sentence. After just three years, Martin was released on good behavior. However, an investigation into his prison records showed that Martin was anything but good, as he had accumulated multiple disciplinary infractions. In 2021, five years after his release, Martin fatally shot William Mealback Jr., whom he had been caring for. This sparked the police chase that led to his arrest and subsequent charge of capital murder.

Bill Cosby

Due to a legal technicality, disgraced actor and comedian Bill Cosby, who is alleged to have sexually assaulted numerous women, walks free today. In 2005, well before the allegations surfaced publicly, Cosby faced a civil lawsuit from one of his accusers, Andrea Constand. Cosby was convinced to testify during the deposition by then-District Attorney Bruce Castor, who assured him that criminal charges won’t be pursued. However, in 2018, after Constand’s allegations led to a criminal trial, Cosby was found guilty using his own statements as evidence. Three years later, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned this conviction, ruling that Cosby’s due process rights had been violated. Although cleared of criminal charges in that case, Cosby still faces multiple civil lawsuits.

David McGreavy

After being dismissed from the Navy and kicked out by his parents, David McGreavy moved in with his friend Clive and his wife Elsie. With Clive and Elsie both working long hours, McGreavy took on the responsibility of babysitting their three children. However, on the night of April 13th 1973, McGreavy tragically killed the three in a drunken rage, claiming he was provoked by the incessant crying of one of them. He pleaded guilty to all three murders and was sentenced to multiple life terms. The case gained renewed attention in 2013 due to reports about McGreavy being considered for parole. Despite the controversy surrounding his possible release, McGreavy was deemed rehabilitated and granted parole in December 2018.

Sammy Gravano

Sammy Gravano, commonly known as Sammy the Bull, was deeply entrenched in a life of crime, as the underboss of the powerful Gambino crime family. For years, Gravano served as the right-hand man to John Gotti, only to later play a pivotal role in his downfall. Convinced that Gotti intended to frame him for certain murders, Gravano struck a deal with the FBI and testified against his former boss. Gotti was sentenced to life without parole, while Gravano received a five-year sentence, and was released in 1994. Subsequently, he entered into witness protection, but soon reverted to criminal activities, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. He was released again in 2017, and currently operates a YouTube channel and podcast.

Karla Homolka

Between 1990 and 1992, Karla Homolka and her then-husband Paul Bernardo sexually assaulted and murdered three girls in Ontario, Canada. Shockingly, one of the victims was Homolka’s own younger sister, Tammy. Although Bernardo was the mastermind, Homolka actively participated in carrying out the crimes. However, after their arrest, she claimed to have acted under duress, but this was later proven to be a lie. Nevertheless, Homolka testified against Bernardo and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, resulting in a 12-year sentence. In July 2005, Homolka was released to much public outrage. These days, she resides in southwestern Quebec, where she remains known as Karla Homolka, despite an earlier unsuccessful attempt to change her name.

Pedro López

It is still unknown just how many people Pedro López killed during his murderous spree across Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. While authorities have confirmed 110 deaths, López himself claims the actual victim count could be well over 300. Hence, he is considered one of history’s most prolific serial killers. López was finally convicted of the murders in 1980 and sentenced to 16 years in prison, the maximum penalty in Ecuador at the time. He was released in 1994 and deported to Colombia where he was confined to a mental health hospital, before being let out on bail four years later. However, López vanished and has not been seen since 1999, though he remains a suspect in several murders.

Did we miss any other notorious criminals who are walking free today? Let us know in the comments below.