"DNA Test Frees Man Nearly 2 Decades Later"

[GreenPartyVoter]

PITTSBURGH (AP) - During his nearly two decades in prison on a rape conviction, Thomas A. Doswell was denied parole four times because he refused to accept responsibility for the crime. But DNA evidence has finally proved what he's been saying all along: He didn't do it.

"I'm thankful to be home," he told The Associated Press from his mother's house Monday, after walking out of the county jail a free man. "I'm thankful justice has been served. The court system is not perfect, but it works."

Doswell, 46, was convicted in the 1986 rape of a 48-year-old woman at a hospital in Pittsburgh. He was sentenced to 13 to 26 years in prison. At the time, he was the father of two young children.

A judge Monday dismissed the charges as friends and family broke into applause.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050802/D8BNN3CG1.html

[jojo54]

1. DNA testing is the only salvation of this corrupt, broken

justice system IMHO.

I'd like to see this new brain-scan lie detector test make good grades.....just as long as Bushco doesn't change the laws to test everyone on their freeper allegiance.

[etherealtruth]

2. I don't even know how to respond to this ...

Obviously, this is a tremendous tragedy. What do we do to prevent this from happening ... again and again?

How do we change a system where guilt or innocence is OFTEN solely contingent upon the quality/skills and resources (ultimately the accused's $ resources) of your legal representation?

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Not just the skills and resources.. look at how much evidence gets

suppressed for one reason or another. How often do the juries have a complete picture presented to them?

[DS1]

4. Justice has been served?

How the F was justice served? He served the justice of another man.