Wrongly Accused Man Spends 18 Years In Prison, Finally Gets DNA Test Which Clears Him...

[jpeyton]

Definitely A WTF Story

Holy Sh1t! Could you imagine losing almost two decades of your life because our wonderful justice system didn't get around to giving you a DNA test earlier? FYI, forensic DNA testing has been popular for almost a decade. Also, the guy claimed his innocence the entire time he was imprisoned, which led to him being denied parole several times. Seriously f'ed up.

 

[Howard]

Girlfriend after 18 years? Gosh, that's something to be proud of.

 

[etalns]

Regardless of the circumstances in the case, and whether or not you would be bitter about what has transpired for him, this guy is an amazing character who deserves a great deal of respect.

It's true, the legal system isn't perfect, but it's the best solution currently available.

 

[wfbberzerker]

what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

I would be a little bitter about the following:

Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Qosis
Regardless of the circumstances in the case, and whether or not you would be bitter about what has transpired for him, this guy is an amazing character who deserves a great deal of respect.

It's true, the legal system isn't perfect, but it's the best solution currently available.

The best system available includes prosecution opposing DNA testing and succeeding?

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

I would be a little bitter about the following:

Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell

This is exactly why I hate prosecutors... they are not interested in the truth but simply want convictions. Why let a little thing like the truth spoil a perfectly good conviction? :roll:

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

I would be a little bitter about the following:

Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell

Yea, that's what I don't get?!? Why, as a prosecuter, would you oppose this? Doesn't justice come before your conviction rate?

If you've read The Executioner's Song I noticed the same thing - an absolute bloodlust on the part of the prosecution that appeared to me to cross the line with respect to giving the guy a fair trial.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

He was probably getting more sex in there than the average ATOTer though, maybe that's what kept his spirits up

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Armitage
Doesn't justice come before your conviction rate?

You couldn't be farther from the truth. Most prosecutors are assholes who want to get their conviction record nice and shiny for any political or judicial career they have planned later in life.

It's nothing like TV crime dramas. If the police bring you a case, your job is to get a conviction, plain and simple. Justice is fvcked.

 

[Deadtrees]

If I were him, I, too, would've been thankful. I would've been thankful that I'm finally out of the prison after 2 decades and I'd be helluva mad some days later. I hope he sues and make millions from it.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees
If I were him, I, too, would've been thankful. I would've been thankful that I'm finally out of the prison after 2 decades and I'd be helluva mad some days later. I hope he sues and make millions from it.

There would only be justice though if the people denying him DNA tests would be thrown in jail for a few dozen years.

 

[etalns]

Originally posted by: Deadtrees
If I were him, I, too, would've been thankful. I would've been thankful that I'm finally out of the prison after 2 decades and I'd be helluva mad some days later. I hope he sues and make millions from it.

The taxpayers will end up flipping the bill... why would you want that?

 

[Hacp]

Is he going to get money? Thats what I want to know.

 

[effee]

No money would be enough to compensate for 18 years.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Is he going to get money? Thats what I want to know.

Why? Planning on using the same slow money scheme?

 

[Leros]

He deserves something.

 

[bootymac]

Damn, and think about how different it was in 1986 compared to today

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: JToxic
He deserves something.

An open shot would be all I'd ask for.

What's a few more decades in prison for a guy who already gave up so much of his life?

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: bootymac
Damn, and think about how different it was in 1986 compared to today

Surprised no one else made this comment. He used a cell phone for the first time in his LIFE. Imagine when he sees the internet. He's going to be so far behind in everything. In 86, gosh... that was before I was alive.

I'd be thankful to be out, but damn pissed at the prosecutors and I'd definitely want some money so that I could live the rest of my life comfortably.

 

[lavagirl669]

remember Shawshank Redemption?

 

[mjrpes3]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

I would be a little bitter about the following:

Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell

I saw that too and think that's pretty messed up. What defense could you possibly use to persuade a judge to not use DNA testing? The only thing I can think of is that a prosecutor feels a defendent is so guilty that a negative DNA result will be highly unlikely, thus wasting taxpayer's dollars. But really, when it comes to fvcking someone's life up that only 20 years behind bars can do, don't you think it might be a good idea to know 100% that someone is guilty? Quite a shame.

 

[razor2025]

Definitely the guy deserves some money. Preferably from the a$$hat prosecutor who denied DNA evidence.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: mjrpes3

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: wfbberzerker
what would be the point of being bitter? it's not going to get him his 18 years back. if i were in his position, i would just live out my life.

I would be a little bitter about the following:

Prosecutors originally opposed DNA testing for Doswell

I saw that too and think that's pretty messed up. What defense could you possibly use to persuade a judge to not use DNA testing? The only thing I can think of is that a prosecutor feels a defendent is so guilty that a negative DNA result will be highly unlikely, thus wasting taxpayer's dollars. But really, when it comes to fvcking someone's life up that only 20 years behind bars can do, don't you think it might be a good idea to know 100% that someone is guilty? Quite a shame.

I can think of other reasons why not to want such a test: If you want to win every case, no matter whether the person is guilty or not, if you get paid enough to screw him over, if you don't like the guy or like the one who did do it, etc.

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Definitely A WTF Story

Holy Sh1t! Could you imagine losing almost two decades of your life because our wonderful justice system didn't get around to giving you a DNA test earlier? FYI, forensic DNA testing has been popular for almost a decade. Also, the guy claimed his innocence the entire time he was imprisoned, which led to him being denied parole several times. Seriously f'ed up.

That takes some guts to keep maintaining your innocence through it all even though it meant not getting parole because he didn't "accept responsibility" for the crime.