DNA Test Frees Pa. Inmate After 16 Years

[Socialist Christian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=718&e=6&u=/ap/20031121/ap_on_re_us/dna_mismatch
<snip>
GETTYSBURG, Pa. - A man behind bars for 16 years for an elderly neighbor's rape and murder was ordered released on bail Friday after new DNA evidence showed that body fluids from the crime scene were not his.



"He's just overjoyed," said David Foster, attorney for Barry J. Laughman.


Laughman was convicted in 1988 and was serving a life sentence in the slaying of a distant relative and neighbor, 85-year-old Edna Laughman. But last summer, The Patriot-News of Harrisburg said it tracked down the DNA samples from semen found at the scene, and that a new set of laboratory tests excluded Laughman as the source.


Friday's ruling by Adams County's president judge, John D. Kuhn, did not exonerate Laughman, who is seeking a new trial that would include the DNA evidence. A hearing on that petition had been set for Dec. 4, but was postponed indefinitely Friday.

[bvar22]

1. OOPS.

our bad....no hard feelings. See ya.

[prolesunited]

2. How many times has this happened?

Good thing the death penalty hadn't already been imposed. Ooops, indeed!

[Media_Lies_Daily]

3. Just another of many freed by DNA testing...

Innocence Project
<http://www.innocenceproject.org/>

Barry J. Laughman is the 139th freed by DNA testing.

When are they going start using DNA testing in all such cases?

[Wwagsthedog]

4. This is why the death penalty is wrong, wrong, wrong

Life without parole at least gives people like this man a chance to prove their innocence if the verdict was wrong. Former Gov Ryan in IL was one of the few in power who got it right. There is no good comment worth making about TX and other states with the death penalty.

[Name removed]

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