A Dallas judge recommended that Charles Chatman be released on Thursday after the 47-year-old man served 26 years for an aggravated sexual assault that he never committed. DNA tests proved that Chatman, who lived five houses down from the woman who was assaulted, was never involved in the crime that he was convicted of and sentenced to 99 years.
Innocent
Charles Chatman had maintained his innocence throughout his time in prison and the Innocence Project took on his case and was able to prove through DNA evidence that Chatman was telling the truth. After reviewing new DNA evidence, a Texas judge suggested that his sentence be overturned.
One out of thirty
According to the Innocence Project, Charles Chatman is just one of thirty inmates in Dallas County to be set free by DNA testing.
