Senin, 03 Oktober 2011

Belated justice in Williamson County for innocent man delayed for years by DA opposition to DNA testing

In Williamson County today, Michael Morton was ordered released after 25 years spent in prison for a murder (of his wife, no less) that he definitively did not commit. Reported KXAN-TV:
New DNA evidence discovered will set a man free, 25 years after he went to prison, convicted of killing his wife. Michael Morton will appear on Tuesday in Williamson County Court and officially released after Monday's decision by Judge Sid Harle.

His attorneys said new DNA results prove Morton did not kill his wife back in 1986, and they asked that he be released immediately.

Harle agreed, after hearing of new evidence giving cause for why Morton should be set free. Morton could be out of prison as early as Monday night.
In the KXAN story, Williamson County DA John Bradley attempted to minimize his role in delaying this result: "When this case was decided, the ink was barely dry on my license," he declared. In the comments at KXAN I replied, "Hmmmm ... How dry was the ink on Bradley's law license when his office fought DNA testing of the bloody bandana for the last six years while the DA disparaged Morton in the media and belittled defense attorneys for 'grasping at straws'?" What a disingenuous response!

See the long overdue joint motion (pdf) filed by the Williamson DA's Office and the defense that will soon make Mr. Morton a free man. Congratulations to Mr. Morton, his family, attorneys, and everyone else involved.

MORE: From AP, the Texas Tribune, the Austin Statesman, and WilcoWatchdog.org,

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