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: A Public Defender

DNA Exoneration FTW

By Gideon

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Following up on the DNA exoneration story from two weeks ago, I can happily point you to this report that Miguel Roman has been granted a new trial and was released from custody today, in time for the holidays.

Judge David P. Gold agreed after a brief hearing today to release Roman, 52, on a promise to appear in court. Roman’s lawyers, citing evidence that appears to exonerate Roman in the 1988 killing of 17-year-old Carmen Lopez, petitioned for a new trial for Roman.

Gold granted that motion today.

Prosecutor David Zagaja noted that the petition for a new trial stems from newly discovered evidence stemming from a technology that “simply didn’t exist” in 1988. It was not immediately clear whether the prosecution will proceed to a new trial or move for a dismissal of the case.

It would be remarkable if the State decided to prosecute him again, so I don’t think that will happen. More likely than not, the charges will be dismissed.

The saddest part of this story is the 20 years of his life that Roman lost. I wonder what sort of compensation he’ll get, given that CT failed to pass an exoneree compensation bill after Tillman’s exoneration.By my updated count, this would be the 5th DNA exoneration in CT and 13th exoneration overall.

Anyway, some good news on a crappy day. Innocence Project FTW!

Full post as published by A Public Defender on December 19, 2008 (boomark / email).