DNA frees man who spent almost 23 years in prison for rape
By JEFF CARLTON, Associated Press Writer Wed Apr 16, 8:13 PM ET
DALLAS - After spending nearly 23 years in prison for a rape he did not commit, Thomas Clifford McGowan on Wednesday heard the words that set him free.
"Words cannot express how sorry I am for the last 23 years," said state District Judge Susan Hawk, moments after overturning his convictions. "I believe you can walk out of here a free man."
McGowan, 49, won his freedom after a DNA test this month proved what he had always professed: that he did not rape a Dallas-area woman in 1985 and then burglarize her apartment. He was convicted of both crimes in separate trials in 1985 and 1986 and sentenced to life each time. The primary evidence against him turned out to be misidentification by the rape victim.
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How did an innocent man get past law enforcement, prosecutor, jury and judge? The better question is how did 17 innocent men in the same county just since 2001 get past what should be checks and balances? It is a question that needs to be answered!
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