"More than anything I'm upset," Ramirez said, "not for myself but for the grief and embarrassment that my friends, family and loved ones have been put through."
The statement was released to the public by Ramirez through his attorney. Ramirez was exonerated in the case after two men and a woman were arrested last week in connection with the late March beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, who was attending a game between the Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramirez was identified as the prime suspect at one time by the Los Angeles Police Department, but last week's arrests exonerated Ramirez in connection with the crime. Ramirez and his defense attorney had said he was not at the stadium that day and claimed to have several pieces of evidence that backed up their assertation of innocence.
"Everyone is asking what am I going to do next," Ramirez said in the statement released Friday. "My only focus and attention is with the writ that has been filed this week. I know the judge in Superior Court will do the right thing."
The Los Angeles Police Department has fallen short of apologizing for accusing Ramirez, who is being held on a parole violation discovered while he was considered a suspect in connection with Stow's beating.
"I think it is important to recognize that the LAPD truly believes that it is just as important to exonerate the innocent as it is to implicate the guilty," police chief Charlie Beck said. "It may take longer than we like, but that is just the nature of the business."
Louie Sanchez and Marvin Norwood were arrested on July 22 in connection with the Stow beating case. Both men, who are being held on $500,000 bail, have extensive criminal pasts which include prior arrests for violent behavior.
Stow is still recovering at the San Francisco General Hospital from his injuries.
