DNA evidence allows man to walk away from SCI-Greene

[Pale Blue Dot]

http://www.observer-reporter.com/279602137506538.bsp

A man who spent two decades on death row before DNA evidence exonerated him walked free from a state prison Friday.

Nicholas Yarris, the first Pennsylvania death-row inmate cleared by later DNA testing, left SCI-Greene shortly after 1 p.m. accompanied by his parents.

He told reporters gathered outside that he was looking forward to restarting his life.

"I just want to go home and resume my life as best I can, and to pay back all the people that stood by me and cared for me and loved me through this mess," he said. "I got to hug my dad for the first time in 23 years, and he is not into hugs."

[Bertha Venation]

1. I wish Yarris well.

"'Everybody seems confused as to why I'm not angry at them. For what? If I do that, it just cheapens who I am,' he said." Sounds like he's got a great start.

[Skittles]

2. there seems to be so many people in jail who are being exonerated

what about cases where there is no DNA to exonerate? It seems like our justice system too often picks a suspect and then builds the evidence to support their pick. Of course, it is minorities and the poor who pay pay the price.

[mhr]

3. Exactly - If More White Collar Criminals Truly Paid The Price

of their crimes, we would have a better country.

Calling Ken Lay, Calling Ken Lay

[DrWeird]

6. Moreover...

cases where there is DNA evidence and it doesn't get tested because there "isn't enough money" and the prosecution already has a conviction.

[arwalden]

4. Makes You Wonder How Many Folks Were Wrongfully Executed

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. It surely does...

You know what really gets me?

There was a story in the Washington Post recently about a man who was exhonorated of the rape and murder of a little girl. Since his release from jail, he's received harassing phone calls and threats from people who are angry that he wasn't executed.

It's unbelievable to me, that even relatives of victims couldn't care less whether the person on death row is guilty...as long as someone dies.

[Exultant Democracy]

7. How can people still support the death penalty blows my mind.

The sickest part is that the executions move a lot faster then the DNA testing.