Clinic at Cardozo secures release of innocent man

Thomas Doswell, now 44, released after serving 18 years on a wrongful conviction. (Photo)

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported August 3rd that through the legal work of the Innocence Project - a Clinical program at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, Thomas Doswell was released from prison after spending nearly 18 years behind bars for a rape he didn't commit. 

Despite his conviction, Doswell had steadfast asserted his innocence, however, until Doswell sent a letter to the Innocence Project, he could not get court permission to test the semen specimens taken after the rape.  Although the prosecutors initially argued that Doswell was not eligible for the testing, the Innocence Project moved for and received permision to get the seman sample DNA tested. The test results exonerated Doswell.  The Allegheny County district attorney, who concedes the forensic tests prove police got the wrong man, moved to dismiss the charges against Doswell.

For Doswell's full story please go to http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.php?id=163