DNA tests prove Cleveland man innocent; he'll go free (served 29 years)

[The Straight Story]

DNA tests prove Cleveland man innocent; he'll go free
Towler served almost 29 years in prison for child rape and kidnapping he did not commit

A Cleveland man who has served nearly 29 years in prison for rape and kidnapping is expected to be freed Wednesday after DNA tests proved he was innocent of the crimes.

Ray Towler has just one last court appearance in Cuyahoga County Wednesday before he can walk from the Grafton Correctional Institution as a free man.

"This is the greatest day of my life. I prayed and hoped for all these years, and finally we have the truth. I'm only feeling pure joy no hate or anger toward anyone," Towler said. "I feel very sorry that the victim went through this, and I wish her nothing but the best. I certainly have no anger toward her."

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office received the test results today.

"The prosecutor's office and the defense are asking the court to immediately vacate Towler's conviction and release him from prison," Prosecutor Bill Mason said in a written statement. "The prosecutor's office is also contacting the testing facility to arrange for additional testing of crime scene evidence to determine the identity of this rapist."

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/05/04/towler-free-dna-proves-innocence.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101

[FiveGoodMen]

1. I think someone owes him at least 29 million bucks while they're at it.

[Subdivisions]

6. Looks like my knee-jerk reaction was the same as yours. What an injustice! n/t

[FiveGoodMen]

7. Yup.

Sure shows that "beyond reasonable doubt" doesn't mean as much as we think it does.

[Subdivisions]

10. Yes. And he deserves to live the rest of his life in luxury and comfort, paid for by the

fine folks of Ohio who cost him 29 years of his life. There should also be a media blitz of press conferences to publically exonerate him of all the charges and to begin the rehabilitation of his reputation.

[FiveGoodMen]

11. Completely agree!

[Auggie]

2. Imagine the horror of being incarcerated knowing you're innocent

[PDJane]

3. And this is one of the reasons I don't support

the death penalty. The other, of course, is that it doesn't diminish the murder rate; the only place where the murder rate didn't go down when the death penalty was abolished was California. (No, I'm not touching that.)

It is much too easy for human error to creep in.......especially when the person is a bit different.

[madmax]

4. I'm always on the fence

back and forth about the DP but, I think we need to find a way that everyone be afforded DNA testing of evidence if it's available regardless of ability to pay. No lawyer but, something like a Miranda. You have the right to a DNA test - the results will be used in court. OTOH, you could refuse it.

Just throwing shit against the wall ;)

[jody]

8. My reason also. n/t

[defendandprotect]

17. Wholeheartedly agree --

and outrageous that so much DNA testing is being denied to prisoners who claim

they are innocent!

[Subdivisions]

5. He ought to be paid $1,000,000 for each year he was unjustly persecuted and imprisoned! n/t

[Ikonoklast]

9. Shows how unreliable eyewitness accounts can be.

I hope he finds some peace in his life.

[TexasObserver]

12. recommend

[wellst0nev0ter]

13. So, When Will The Prosecuting Attorney Be Nifonged?

*looks at picture of Ray Towler*

Nah, forget what I said :eyes:

[NNN0LHI]

14. And the actual scum who committed this crime is probably still walking free

Comforting.

Don

[applegrove]

15. Thank god for the sciences and the ever expanding tools it gives the law.

[defendandprotect]

16. r

[Festivito]

18. Twenty-nine years. 29 years of being a known child rapist. ... /nt

[old mark]

19. There are many cases where DNA testing was not allowed after the conviction-

DA's and judges don't want to see their "successes" reversed, so tests that could confirm innocence are not allowed to be done. Mr. Towler is in some ways very fortunate to be free today.

mark