Cleared by DNA tests, Derrick Williams is released from prison after 18 years

[alp227]

Source: Bradenton (Fla.) Herald

HARDEE COUNTY -- Derrick Williams started the day preparing for another court battle, but after a call from his attorney Willaims realized he instead would be a free man, spending Tuesday at home in Palmetto, celebrating his son’s 29th birthday.

The last birthday they spent together was his son’s 11th.

Williams was suddenly released Monday from prison after State Attorney Earl Moreland decided to end his fight to keep Williams in prison on a 1993 rape conviction. The 47-year-old man’s conviction was overturned last week after tests showed his DNA was not a match to DNA found on clothing the rapist wore.

Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2011/04/05/3087817/derrick-williams-is-released-from.html

---

Found via http://www.drudge.com/news/143006/dna-frees-florida-man-after-18-years

[riderinthestorm]

1. I hate and love these stories.

Hate that it takes justice this long to exonerate innocent people, love that justice finally triumphs.

[udbcrzy2]

2. Maybe the states should invest more in this type of technology

instead of all those costly appeals. This would save money and be more truth finding than what they are doing right now.

They could even use it to crack cold cases and identify the missing persons who are found deceased.

[harmonicon]

3. I didn't really need to go to the link to know that the guy is black, did I? nt.

[murielm99]

4. It is true that there are a disproportionate number

of black men in prison. I won't argue with that at all.

But I would recommend a documentary called "After Innocence." It shows a lot about the men who have been exonerated by new evidence. Not all of the wrongly convicted are black.

[Arrowhead2k1]

5. I asked myself a similar question while coming upon this story.

I said "How much do you wanna bet this poor guy is black?"

Lo and behold...

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.