DNA test clears Dallas man jailed for 25 years

[Contrary1]

This guy is fortunate that the woman wasn't murdered. He could have been just another number on the long list of executions carried out in Texas.


"DALLAS - A 56-year-old man who spent 25 years behind bars for a rape he says he didn't commit walked out of court a free man Friday after a judge recommended his aggravated rape conviction be overturned.

Johnnie Earl Lindsey said he wrote six letters to a Dallas County court seeking post-conviction DNA testing that could prove his innocence. All six were ignored, he said. "I couldn't get nobody to hear my case," said Lindsey. "Once I could get someone to pay attention to what's going on, there was no doubt in my mind I would be exonerated."

That day came Friday, about a week after testing on DNA evidence from a rape kit taken after a 1981 sexual assault of a Dallas woman excluded Lindsey as the source.

He becomes the 20th man in Dallas County proven innocent by DNA testing since 2001, although one of those men will be retried by prosecutors. Those 20 cases are a national high for one county, according to the Innocence Project, a New York-based legal center specializing in wrongful conviction cases..."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26797020/


*** Edit to add info found in another article

How sad is this?

"...The rape victim, who is not being identified because of The Dallas Morning News' policy not to name victims of sexual assault, pointed out Mr. Lindsey's picture in a six-person photo lineup that Dallas police mailed to her one year after the attack. She was living in San Antonio at the time, according to court records.

The suspect had been described as a black man in his 20s wearing no shirt, according to court records. Only two men in the lineup photos were shirtless, Ms. Moore said. And Mr. Lindsey was one of them."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/091608dnmetlindsey.173e456.html

[amdezurik]

1. another one...

This is beyond incredible how many of these cases are cropping up. Our "justice" system needs to be cleaned up top to bottom IMHO. But then again, lucky for this innocent man that the original victim was not forced to buy that rape kit like Hells Hockey Mom would like to see.

[LiberadorHugo]

2. Ya know something?

American society owes this man a lot of money and a Helluvalot of good sex. :-)

On a more serious note, every time I see a case like this, I feel very proud of my opposition to the death penalty. Laws are crafted by men; men are imperfect; punishment must be reversible.

[madmax]

3. The government should provide free DNA

testing. And yes, maybe I'm a socialist. Twenty-five fucking years is a lifetime. The Innocence Project does great work, Thank you Barry Scheck.

[G_j]

4. in just ONE county!

20 men in Dallas County proven innocent by DNA testing since 2001

[High Plains]

5. Somebody needs to put the Dallas DA's office on trial.

And the cops who pull this shit.

And the judges who sit there picking their noses.

The criminal justice system is indeed criminal.