Man cleared of charges after 24 years in jail

NNN0LHI

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Sat Dec-10-05 12:07 PM
Original message

Man cleared of charges after 24 years in jail

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2005/December/theworld_December284.xml§ion=theworld&col=

WASHINGTON — An American man who spent 24 years in jail for a rape and kidnapping he didn’t commit, said yesterday he was not bitter, just glad to be home.

Robert Clark, 45, from the southeastern state of Georgia, was freed on Thursday, after DNA evidence proved what he had always maintained, that he was innocent.

“I’m not bitter. I’ve got my family back,” Clark told CNN with a radiant smile yesterday.

“It still seems like it ain’t real, but I’m home. I’m out.”

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Wind Dancer

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Sat Dec-10-05 12:48 PM
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1. It's a shame it took so long!

"According to the Innocence Project, which fights for wrongfully convicted prisoners, Clark is the 164th American to be exonerated by DNA tests."

He has an amazing attitude despite spending over half his life behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. I can't imagine the effect this had on his family and friends over all of these years.

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FreedomAngel82

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Sat Dec-10-05 05:45 PM
Response to Reply #1

10. Amazing

People are always so quick to judge and throw someone away. This is one of the many reason's why I'm against the death penalty. Too many innocent people get put to their deaths. I'm glad this person is finally free and with his family again. I hope he can get his life back on track.

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Wind Dancer

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Sat Dec-10-05 06:02 PM
Response to Reply #10

11. Compassion seems to be lacking in today's society.

There have been numerous cases similar to this yet the DP is still approved by the majority. I simply can't understand the reasoning behind "legalized" killing regardless of the situation.

This man has spent over half his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit - I'm glad he's finally out and hope his newfound freedom is rewarding.

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melody

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Sat Dec-10-05 12:49 PM
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2. And if the crime was murder and he got the DP...

He would be dead now, with no means of redress.

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ultraist

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Sat Dec-10-05 12:54 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Exactly my first thought.

Yet another case to show that the death penalty should be eliminated.

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Wind Dancer

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Sat Dec-10-05 01:04 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. Ditto! n/t

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newyawker99

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Sat Dec-10-05 05:42 PM
Response to Reply #2

9. I agree. Here is another good reason for the DP

to be abolished.

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porphyrian

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Sat Dec-10-05 01:07 PM
Response to Original message

5. Let me guess, he isn't white. - n/t

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bammertheblue

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Sat Dec-10-05 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. ding ding ding-you are right!

he's black- I saw a picture in the paper.
I've gotta say, if I were him, I'd be pretty bitter.

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porphyrian

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Sat Dec-10-05 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. I know Georgia usually isn't racist, but...

...OK, that's bullshit. Georgia is racist as hell. Outside of Atlanta (and in some places there), you pretty much just want to be white, especially if you're getting arrested.

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Lefty48197

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Sat Dec-10-05 01:56 PM
Response to Original message

8. What a wonderful justice system we have.

(sarcasm)

"According to the Innocence Project, which fights for wrongfully convicted prisoners, Clark is the 164th American to be exonerated by DNA tests."

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Obamanaut

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Sat Dec-10-05 06:45 PM
Response to Original message

12. Fla. just paid a guy for 22 yrs wrongful imprisonment...

Edited on Sat Dec-10-05 06:46 PM by usnret88

http://www.tallahasseedemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/NEWS02/512090335&SearchID=73229067159178

<snip>
Wilton Dedge got $2 million and an apology Thursday from lawmakers trying to make up for the state's errors that put the innocent man behind bars for 22 years.

The Brevard County man was in Tallahassee and appeared in the galleries of both the House and Senate as they passed a bill to compensate him for his lost liberty. DNA evidence cleared him of rape charges, and he was released in August 2004.<more>

on edit - another reason I'm against the DP - there just is no going back if the guy has already been buried when the error is discovered.

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