Imho, it’s human nature to try to help out by giving information to the police, but that can backfire. I’ve seen some cases on those shows where people have been convicted of murder with what appears to be little if any evidence. It’s one of the reasons that I have altered my position regarding the death penalty.
If he was innocent, I don't know which would have been worse. Being executed wrongly at a young age or spending most of your life in prison for a crime you didn't do.