Rape Conviction Overturned After 25 Years Spent Behind Bars

DNA evidence from a rape kit taken in 1981 proved that Johnnie Earl Lindsey could not have committed the rape for which he was convicted in a Dallas County, Texas court. Released on Sept. 19, Lindsey had served 25 years of the sentence.

Dallas County Holds the Record for Convicting Innocent People
Lindsey, 56, had written repeatedly to Dallas County courts in an effort to get post-conviction DNA testing. All of his efforts were ignored. He is the 20th man in Dallas County, alone, to be proven innocent by DNA testing since 2001. According to the Innocence Project (the New York-based legal center that specializes in wrongful conviction cases), Dallas County holds the record for such cases in the United States.

"I couldn't get nobody to hear my case…once I could get someone to pay attention to what's going on, there was no doubt in my mind I would be exonerated," said Lindsey.

Court Apologized for Denial of Justice
State District Judge Larry Mitchell is credited by Lindsey with being the first court official to listen to his pleas. In his court, Judge Mitchell stated, "I can't tell you how sorry I am this happened to you. Your freedom was taken away from you for all these years…there's a saying that justice delayed is justice denied. Justice was delayed for too long in your case."

Judge Mitchell recommended that the Texas Court of Appeals overturn Lindsey’s rape conviction. Once the higher court accepts this recommendation — or if Texas Governor Rick Perry grants a pardon — Lindsey will be considered officially exonerated. For now, he is simply a free man.

(Source: Associated Press)

Have you or someone you love been wrongly incarcerated? If so, contact us today to speak to an experienced criminal law attorney who will fight to protect your rights.