In the nation’s capital, a man was exonerated after spending the past 28 years in prison. The man, Donald Eugene Gates, was convicted of the 1981 rape and murder of a 21-year old Georgetown student and was sentenced to 20 years to life.
Mr. Gates was sentenced, in large part, because a hair at the crime scene allegedly was an identical match to his hair. FBI hair analyst, Michael P. Malone, testified that hairs taken from Gates and hairs found on the victim were “microscopically indistinguishable.” However, Malone’s work came under fire in 1997. During that time, the article reports, “…the FBI’s inspector general found that Malone gave false testimony in proceedings that led to the impeachment and ouster of U.S. District Judge Alcee Hastings in 1989.”
The recent DNA evidence has proven Mr. Gates to be completely innocent. He has now been released from a federal prison facility in Arizona and is on his way back to his home in Ohio. Mr. Gates told reporters that he prayed for his release and never doubted it would come. He further told reporters, “My faith in God is very strong.” The article states that Mr. Gates, who at one-time worked construction, has no immediate plans for the future. Gates told reporters, “It’s all coming at me so fast,” he said. “I gotta think on it.”
Too often, due to unlawful or incomplete police work, innocent people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. It is vital that if you or a loved one is facing criminal charges that are inaccurate you immediately seek out the highest quality criminal defense representation.
If you or a loved one is facing or faces serious criminal charges, it is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience in representing the innocent and know how to fight for your freedom. Contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich today at 1-888-749-0034 or www.wklaw.com.
