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View Full Version : DNA Saves An Innocent Man. Aren't You Ashamed?



Psychoblues
01-04-2008, 01:17 AM
It seems to be happening everyday now. DNA saves innocent people. How many other innocents must suffer for the over zealousness and misguided judgements of District Attorneys, Sheriffs, Deputy's and Policemen where DNA is not a factor? Think about it, children.

By JEFF CARLTON, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jan 3, 6:25 PM ET



DALLAS - Three times during his nearly 27 years in prison, Charles Chatman went before a parole board and refused to admit he was a rapist. His steadfastness was vindicated Thursday, when a judge released him because of new DNA evidence showing he indeed wasn't. The release of Chatman, 47, added to Dallas County's nationally unmatched number of wrongfully convicted inmates.

"Every time I'd go to parole, they'd want a description of the crime or my version of the crime," Chatman said. "I don't have a version of the crime. I never committed the crime. I never will admit to doing this crime that I know I didn't do."

District Judge John Creuzot, whom defense lawyers credited with shepherding Chatman's case for exoneration through the legal system, recommended that Texas' Court of Criminal Appeals find Chatman not guilty. With several relatives dabbing at their eyes with tissues and cheering, Chatman was released.

"I really can't tell you how I feel," said his aunt, Ethel Barley. "But I can tell you it is a different feeling than I have had in a long time, just to be holding his own hand."

Before the crime is officially cleared from Chatman's record, the appeals court must accept the recommendation or the governor must grant a pardon. Either step is considered a formality after Creuzot's ruling.

Chatman became the 15th inmate from Dallas County since 2001 to be freed by DNA testing. He served more time than any of the other inmates, four of whom were in court Thursday to show their support.

Dallas has freed more inmates after DNA testing than any other county nationwide, said Natalie Roetzel of the Innocence Project of Texas. Texas leads the country in prisoners freed by DNA testing, releasing at least 30 wrongfully convicted inmates since 2001, according to the Innocence Project.

One of the biggest reasons for the large number of exonerations is the crime lab used by Dallas County, which accounts for about half the state's DNA cases. Unlike many jurisdictions, the lab used by police and prosecutors retains biological evidence, meaning DNA testing is a viable option for decades-old crimes.

District Attorney Craig Watkins also attributes the exonerations to a past culture of overly aggressive prosecutors seeking convictions at any cost. Watkins has started a program in which law students, supervised by the Innocence Project of Texas, are reviewing about 450 cases in which convicts have requested DNA testing to prove their innocence.

"It is time we stop kidding ourselves in believing that what happened in Dallas is somehow unique," said Jeff Blackburn, the founder of the Innocence Project of Texas. "What happened in Dallas is common. This is Texas."

The hearing attracted a standing-room-only crowd that included Watkins, who was greeted warmly by two wrongly convicted Dallas men who have since won their freedom. Also there was state Rep. Terri Hodge, a member of the criminal jurisprudence committee, who promised unspecified reforms when the Legislature convenes in 2009.

Chatman was 20 when the victim, a young woman in her 20s, picked him from a lineup. Chatman said he lived five houses down from the victim for 13 years but never knew her.

She identified him in court as the attacker, and serology tests showed that the type of blood found at the crime scene matched that of Chatman — along with 40 percent of other black males.

Chatman said he was working at the time of the assault, an alibi supported by his sister, who was also his employer. Nevertheless, Chatman was convicted of aggravated sexual assault in 1981 and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Chatman said he believes his race led to his arrest and conviction. The jury, he said, had one black member.

"I was convicted because a black man committed a crime against a white woman," Chatman said. "And I was available."

Chatman said he wants to work with the Innocence Project of Texas to support other people exonerated or wrongly convicted.

"I believe that there are hundreds, and I know of two or three personally that very well could be sitting in this seat if they had the support and they had the backing that I have," Chatman said. "My No. 1 interest is trying to help people who have been in the situation I am ,,,,,,,,,

More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080103/...4loEwp_WoDW7oF

I know that life ain't fair, but is this justified in any way?

82Marine89
01-04-2008, 01:42 AM
It seems to be happening everyday now. DNA saves innocent people. How many other innocents must suffer for the over zealousness and misguided judgements of District Attorneys, Sheriffs, Deputy's and Policemen where DNA is not a factor? Think about it, children.



Everyday now? DNA not only saves innocent people, it puts the guilty ones in jail. As for 'overzealous' prosecutors, we have juries that have to be convinced before the person is found guilty. Think Duke Lacrosse. Think about it.

Psychoblues
01-04-2008, 01:59 AM
I'll agree, but I think you miss the point.



Everyday now? DNA not only saves innocent people, it puts the guilty ones in jail. As for 'overzealous' prosecutors, we have juries that have to be convinced before the person is found guilty. Think Duke Lacrosse. Think about it.

Many juries have been convinced by an overwhelming of simple conjecture. Are we willing to kill anyone as a result of conjecture? I think not. how many more lanquish in prison for crimes they, also, did not commit? Are we now openly committing people based on simple opinion?

Immanuel
01-04-2008, 08:34 AM
I'll agree, but I think you miss the point.

Many juries have been convinced by an overwhelming of simple conjecture. Are we willing to kill anyone as a result of conjecture? I think not. how many more lanquish in prison for crimes they, also, did not commit? Are we now openly committing people based on simple opinion?

I guess there is a silver lining behind this cloud. It could have been that he was convicted, sentenced to death, appeals run out, sentence carried out and THEN they find out the man was innocent.

I wonder if Texas handed him $200 and said they were sorry before they let him go.

Immie

retiredman
01-04-2008, 09:14 AM
they should throw the woman in jail that fingered him out of a photo lineup.

Immanuel
01-04-2008, 09:27 AM
they should throw the woman in jail that fingered him out of a photo lineup.

You're right if it were an intentional mistake.

As far as I am concerned, if someone is discovered to have given deliberately false testimony that leads to prison time for another, then that person should spend everyday in prison + 1 day that their victim spent. If this man spent 27 years in prison for the crime he didn't commit, she should spend 27 years and a day in prison.

Immie

actsnoblemartin
01-04-2008, 09:32 PM
of course im ashamed, every time a wrongfully convicted person has been killed or spent time jail, that is a crime in itself.

I saw this article actually, and it made me sad.


I'll agree, but I think you miss the point.




Many juries have been convinced by an overwhelming of simple conjecture. Are we willing to kill anyone as a result of conjecture? I think not. how many more lanquish in prison for crimes they, also, did not commit? Are we now openly committing people based on simple opinion?

hjmick
01-05-2008, 02:20 AM
And I should be ashamed because...?

JohnDoe
01-05-2008, 06:56 AM
I bet ya the woman that fingered him way back when, feels like crap now...if it was not intentional.

trobinett
01-05-2008, 08:19 AM
To answer your question, "aren't I ashamed?" NO.

When I see these kind of articles, I always wonder HOW did this particular person get caught up in this event?

Wrong place? Wrong time? Background?

Why was he brought in, in the first place?

Had he been convicted of a similar crime before?

Or, which I don't believe, he was just picked at random?

But, on a more positive note, the system did work. Sadly, it took much too long.

Gadget (fmr Marine)
01-05-2008, 01:37 PM
I am pleased that the man has been released, and a wrong has been righted (to the best it can).

On the other hand, there was no DNA testing technology available at the time.....but using blood testing they did find the best match, and the jury made the decision deemed best at the time....did any one of them cause the jury to be "hung?"

I just wonder what technology will be available in 27 years from now that will enable us to determine guilt innocence or even INTENT that may be used to convict or exonerate those accused of crimes.

Yurt
01-05-2008, 05:59 PM
Ashamed? "f" no. We are not perfect. If you think this government is perfect, I have some land I want to sell you, "real cheap."

Innocent's do time and the guilty go free. Are you ashamed the guilty go free?

Abbey Marie
01-05-2008, 07:53 PM
I was much more ashamed of our justice system when OJ went scott free after slicing off his wife's head.

Psychoblues
01-05-2008, 08:22 PM
For at least this time, we have agreed on others, we are seeing and speaking some truth.



I was much more ashamed of our justice system when OJ went scott free after slicing off his wife's head.

Would you rather have that innocent man, however, die at the end of a rope or at the end of a needle as the original post suggests would have been done without the DNA proof that he was actually innocent?

actsnoblemartin
01-06-2008, 04:31 AM
dont talk shit about texas :laugh2:

its the best state in the union, who else would take in another state when it is flooded out




I guess there is a silver lining behind this cloud. It could have been that he was convicted, sentenced to death, appeals run out, sentence carried out and THEN they find out the man was innocent.

I wonder if Texas handed him $200 and said they were sorry before they let him go.

Immie

avatar4321
01-06-2008, 04:42 AM
Why should i be ashamed? The justice system works. And now that we use DNA we can be more certain when we are punishing the correct criminals.

We still need honest DAs though.