Texan wrongly convicted of rape freed after 24 years in prison

Submitted by Matt on Mon, 2012-08-27 00:13

Story here. Excerpt:

'HOUSTON — In what’s becoming a familiar scenario in Texas, a man has been freed after spending years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.

David Lee Wiggins, 48, of Fort Worth was imprisoned in 1989 for rape, largely because the 14-year-old victim picked him out of photo and live lineups. His fingerprints did not match any at the crime scene. Still, he was sentenced to life in prison.

But this month DNA testing excluded Wiggins, and on Friday, State District Judge Louis Sturns in Fort Worth approved a motion overturning his conviction and freed him.

Before Wiggins is officially exonerated, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals must accept the judge's recommendation or the governor must grant a pardon.

“This was the beginning of the final chapter in his 24-year ordeal: He walked free today,” Wiggin’s attorney, Nina Morrison of the New York-based Innocence Project, told the Los Angeles Times. “He lost half of his life to this wrongful conviction. It’s a startling reminder of the toll it takes.”'

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Comments

Spending at least a quarter of a century in prison for performing a non consensual sexual act is barbaric especially with the epidemic of false rape accusations going around. And of course if the false accuser is found out then nothing is really done in the way of punishment. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

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Submitted by Luek on Tue, 2012-08-28 10:14

do DNA sets this guy free.
why does DNA NOT set so many paternity fraud victims free??
the laws need to be changed !!!

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Submitted by oregon dad on Tue, 2012-08-28 15:23