DNA Testing Exonerates Death-Row Inmate

Earl Washington, Jr., a Culpeper farm hand with an IQ of 69, was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of 19-year old Rebecca Williams.  As he sat on death row, partner Robert T. Hall took the case, examined the forensic reports and what he believed was a coerced confession and became convinced of Washington's innocence.  For the next 16 years, Hall fought to secure Washington's release through a lengthy series of court proceedings.  Finally, DNA testing provided the evidence which eventually led to Washington's exoneration.  In April 2007, a convicted serial rapist pled guilty to the murder.  The case inspired a critical review of the death penalty in Virginia, was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2002 decision to abolish the execution of mentally retarded offenders and led to a 2001 law allowing inmates who claim innocence to seek DNA testing at any time.  This landmark case is the subject of An Expendable Man: The Near Execution of Earl Washington, Jr.  by author Margaret Edds. 

For the story details, go to:  www.insideout.org/documentaries/dna/thestories3.asp

BECAUSE THE RESULTS OBTAINED IN SPECIFIC CASES DEPEND ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE, PAST CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN FUTURE CASES UNDERTAKEN BY A LAWYER OR LAW FIRM.