At least he wasn't sentenced to death!

**pinky** · Jul 12th, 2006, 08:31 AM

http://www.comcast.net/news/national...cvqh=crime_dna

Quote:

DNA Evidence Clears Wrongly Convicted Man
By STEPHANIE REITZ, Associated Press Writer

HARTFORD, Conn. - A man who spent 18 years in prison on a rape charge walked out of court Tuesday a free man, exonerated by DNA evidence.

James Calvin Tillman, 44, had been imprisoned since his arrest in 1988. He was sentenced a year later to 45 years in prison.

Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Miano granted Tillman's request last month for a new trial and released him on his own recognizance. On Tuesday, Miano dropped all charges and wished him "health and happiness into the future."

With his mother and brother by his side, a smiling Tillman talked to reporters outside the courthouse. He said he is not angry or bitter.

Neither Tillman nor his attorneys would say whether he plans to sue the state or seek other compensation. Connecticut does not have a compensation policy for the wrongly convicted...

Recent DNA tests proved that evidence on the victim's clothing from the 1988 crime did not match Tillman's genetic profile, contradicting circumstantial evidence from his trial...

Venisenvy · Jul 12th, 2006, 10:06 AM

It amazes me that he is not angry nor bitter, if that had happened to me I dont think there would be an end to my rage.

**pinky** · Jul 12th, 2006, 10:16 AM

I agree. But that's what he's saying now, when he's mostly feeling elation about his release. Maybe when he can't get a decent job because he has no experience, and finds himself constantly trying to catch up to others in his age group, some bitterness might creep in.

I'm not sure how I feel about compensation for those who are wrongly convicted. On the one hand, it seems only fair that people be given something to help them get somewhere near where they would have otherwise been. On the other, if there was no misconduct on the part of a prosecutor or witness, can we legitimately say that our legal system failed? The reason he was convicted was that technology was not as advanced as it is now, and that the (severely traumatized) victim made a mistake. Should taxpayers years later be responsible for that?

It's certainly a dilemma.

Regis Philbin · Jul 13th, 2006, 12:29 AM

Why would he be sentenced to death???

From what I read there he didn't kill anyone so death would not be an option...

**Annoyedlistner** · Jul 13th, 2006, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regis Philbin

Why would he be sentenced to death???

From what I read there he didn't kill anyone so death would not be an option...

SC is considering killing child rapers..............

**pinky** · Jul 13th, 2006, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regis Philbin

Why would he be sentenced to death???

From what I read there he didn't kill anyone so death would not be an option...

Missed my point again, sweetie.

How many people HAVE been sentenced to death for crimes they didn't commit?

SparkleHugs · Jul 13th, 2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annoyedlistner

SC is considering killing child rapers..............

i think thats a decent punishment for a child molester.

**Annoyedlistner** · Jul 13th, 2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SparkleHugs

i think thats a decent punishment for a child molester.

So do i....but the govt shouldnt kill...thats a completely different debate.

**pinky** · Jul 13th, 2006, 07:45 PM

"Prison justice" is more appropriate for such offenders. Also more punishment than death, because they have to live with it and have no control over it. And control issues are what cause them to do what they do to the most helpless of all.

Jul 12th, 2006, 10:06 AM	#2
Venisenvy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Connecticut Posts: 15,760	It amazes me that he is not angry nor bitter, if that had happened to me I dont think there would be an end to my rage. __________________ If a stranger lives with you in your land, do not molest him. You must count him as one of your own countrymen and love him as yourself—for you were once strangers yourselves in Egypt. I am Yahweh your God Leviticus 19: 32-34 El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido!

Jul 13th, 2006, 12:29 AM	#4
Regis Philbin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Neither here nor there Posts: 15,288	Why would he be sentenced to death??? From what I read there he didn't kill anyone so death would not be an option... __________________ When most Americans read the novel 1984 they were scared. When Obama read 1984, he started taking notes. --- Rush Limbaugh The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. --- Margaret Thatcher

Jul 12th, 2006, 10:16 AM	#3
pinky Spoiler of All Fun Moderator Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: It's JERSEY, not Joisey Posts: 22,188	I agree. But that's what he's saying now, when he's mostly feeling elation about his release. Maybe when he can't get a decent job because he has no experience, and finds himself constantly trying to catch up to others in his age group, some bitterness might creep in. I'm not sure how I feel about compensation for those who are wrongly convicted. On the one hand, it seems only fair that people be given something to help them get somewhere near where they would have otherwise been. On the other, if there was no misconduct on the part of a prosecutor or witness, can we legitimately say that our legal system failed? The reason he was convicted was that technology was not as advanced as it is now, and that the (severely traumatized) victim made a mistake. Should taxpayers years later be responsible for that? It's certainly a dilemma.

Jul 13th, 2006, 07:45 PM	#9
pinky Spoiler of All Fun Moderator Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: It's JERSEY, not Joisey Posts: 22,188	"Prison justice" is more appropriate for such offenders. Also more punishment than death, because they have to live with it and have no control over it. And control issues are what cause them to do what they do to the most helpless of all.