DNA Clears Texas Man After 18 Years

[Brutuskend]

DNA Clears Texas Man After 18 Years
By Associated Press
3 hours ago

DALLAS - A man who spent 18 years behind bars for allegedly attacking a woman in her home has been released after DNA testing excluded him as the attacker.

"I don't know how to apologize. I don't know where to start, but I'll start with me and 'I'm sorry,'" District Judge John Creuzot said Monday as he released Gregory Wallis, now 47. Creuzot was not involved in the original trial.

Wallis was a 29-year-old warehouse worker when he was convicted in 1988 of burglary with intent to commit sexual assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The case was closed until Willis' 2004 request for post-conviction DNA analysis led to tests that found his didn't match the DNA from the crime scene.

The victim had picked Wallis' photo out of a lineup after police received a tip that he was involved. She described her attacker as having a tattoo, similar to one Wallis had.

"I don't know how she picked me," Wallis said. "I was sitting at home, and they came and arrested me. The next thing I know, I'm standing trial."

An initial test released in December could not entirely exclude Wallis as a suspect. His lawyer then requested a newer and more sophisticated test, which found no match with Wallis' DNA.

Like others wrongly convicted in Texas, Wallis is eligible for up to $250,000 in compensation for the years he spent behind bars. He said he was he looking for to enjoying a steak dinner and going fishing.

 

[wvtalbot]

250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

 

[Juno]

Like others wrongly convicted in Texas, Wallis is eligible for up to $250,000 in compensation for the years he spent behind bars. He said he was he looking for to enjoying a steak dinner and going fishing.

:beer:

 

[GuitarDaddy]

:thumbsup:

Justice delayed is better than no justice at all

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

 

[NFS4]

Lemme guess, the victim's parents still say he did it...

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

upto 250k. that means he could get like 10k. that sucks

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

I agree. the guy should get a few million (after taxes) for this.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

Exactly. This isnt some McDonalds or Wendy's lawsuit. Someone seriously got screwed over. It's not hard to see this.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

But who is he going to sue? 😕

I mean, he was convicted on the best evidence available at the time. The trial was deemed to be fair and just - but wrong. Are you gonna sue the judge? The jurors? The "witness" who picked him from the line-up? Or just arbitrarily sue "Texas" because you were wronged?

I agree that it's a ****** situation, but I don't get what "Sue 'em!" will accomplish.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

But who is he going to sue? 😕

I mean, he was convicted on the best evidence available at the time. The trial was deemed to be fair and just - but wrong. Are you gonna sue the judge? The jurors? The "witness" who picked him from the line-up? Or just arbitrarily sue "Texas" because you were wronged?

I agree that it's a ****** situation, but I don't get what "Sue 'em!" will accomplish.

He can sue the state. And he damn well should, this isn't some frivolous lawsuit dude they destroyed a mans life.

 

[CptObvious]

in my personal opinion he should be able to sue the state of texas. the criminal trials are always state vs. [defendant]. but they'll probably claim some sovereign immunity

 

[EmperorIQ]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

at first when i read it, i thought 250k per year, sucks man. I think he can sue them though, for loss os wages pass present and future.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

They probably think that because he was sheltered and fed and given clothing in prison for 18 years, that 250k is fair, because it costs a certain amount per prisoner. And to an extent, that does make sense. But on the other hand, he never asked to be there. They forced him to be there.
I say, support him on a decent wage for 18 years. And to make up for the loss of 18 years of freedom, freedom from paying taxes for the rest of his life.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They probably think that because he was sheltered and fed and given clothing in prison for 18 years, that 250k is fair, because it costs a certain amount per prisoner. And to an extent, that does make sense. But on the other hand, he never asked to be there. They forced him to be there.
I say, support him on a decent wage for 18 years. And to make up for the loss of 18 years of freedom, freedom from paying taxes for the rest of his life.

heh i remember a few years ago there was a story just like this. a guy was in jail for like 8 years when DNA got him out.

Anwyay he was givin something like $30k but then got nailed for room, board etc for housing him over hte 8 years!

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: wvtalbot

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
That whats I meant, this guy should be able to sue for millions.

Why?

How much is 18 years of YOUR life worth?

But who is he going to sue? 😕

I mean, he was convicted on the best evidence available at the time. The trial was deemed to be fair and just - but wrong. Are you gonna sue the judge? The jurors? The "witness" who picked him from the line-up? Or just arbitrarily sue "Texas" because you were wronged?

I agree that it's a ****** situation, but I don't get what "Sue 'em!" will accomplish.

He can sue the state. And he damn well should, this isn't some frivolous lawsuit dude they destroyed a mans life.

Yes, he can. And no one is arguing that it would be frivolous, so get the fvck off your high-horse for a moment and try to respond like a rational human being.

Was the state "wrong?" Did they intentionally screw his life? Who do you think need to be punished for this? This is an honest question. Money doesn't grow in trees. Someone will have to lose that money. Who should that be? The judge? The jurors? The prosecutor? His attorney? The taxpayers?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

And it's probably more than he would have accumulated in savings if he wasn't in prison all that time.

Unless there was some malice on the part of the prosecutor or some extreme negligence, I think the guy should be considered lucky to get that much. He was given the opportunity to defend himself. The justice system cannot operate if prosecutors have to live in constant fear of being sued if the wrong man is convicted.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: Zysoclaplem
They pretty much completely ruined that man's life with their mistake. 18 years in prison changes you. And they give him 250k for it? I bet they take taxes out of that too.

Who is "they?" Is it the original victim for the mis-identification? Is it the state for prosecuting? The jury for convicting?

If people were allowed to sue for unlimited amounts of money in cases like this our legal system would fall apart. What's next, suing the jury members for the verdict?

Yes, $250K is a pittance. But it is enough to start re-building a life.

Viper GTS

They as in the entire justice system, they at the very least owe this guy 18 years of the average state wage.

Are you saying that if it was YOU you would take 20k and walk awayhappy? I don't think so.

 

[GhostDoggy]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

I'm wondering if he can take civil action against the women that accused him.

 

[wvtalbot]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
250k? for 18 years? Gotta love the Texas Justice system

Thats less than $14k per year, sucks actually

And it's probably more than he would have accumulated in savings if he wasn't in prison all that time.

Unless there was some malice on the part of the prosecutor or some extreme negligence, I think the guy should be considered lucky to get that much. He was given the opportunity to defend himself. The justice system cannot operate if prosecutors have to live in constant fear of being sued if the wrong man is convicted.

So 18 years of a persons life is only worth what they could save during that time?

That is the most heartless statement I have heard in quite a while.