DNA Test Clears Man Charged in Rape Case
Prosecutors dropped all charges against a recent Palo Alto high school graduate after DNA test results proved that he did not rape a 94-year-old woman.
Jorge Hernandez, 18, was told he could go home Friday. He had been held in Santa Clara County jail in lieu of $1-million bail and faced up to life in prison after being arrested July 18 on suspicion of rape and sodomy.
“There is an ongoing investigation to determine the identity of the perpetrator and to determine if Mr. Hernandez was in any way involved with the crime,” said prosecutor Brian Welch.
Hernandez was charged with attacking the woman, a resident of an assisted-living home two blocks from his house. Police recovered a ring with the name “Edwin” engraved inside. It had been ripped off the attacker’s hand during the struggle May 6.
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