Virginia Governor Will Grant Pardon to Ex-Convict Cleared by DNA in Rape
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RICHMOND, Va. — A man who was cleared by DNA evidence after serving 15 years in prison for rape will be granted an unconditional pardon by Gov. Mark Warner, the governor’s office said Tuesday.
The pardon is to be issued today for Marvin Lamont Anderson, who has been on parole since 1997.
“I am convinced that Mr. Anderson is innocent of the charges for which he was convicted,” Warner wrote in his pardon, a copy of which was obtained by Associated Press. Anderson was convicted and sentenced to 210 years in prison based on testimony from the victim.
DNA tests have exonerated six Virginia inmates, including one death row prisoner.
In March, a grand jury in suburban Hanover County charged a prison inmate with committing the rape and robbery for which Anderson was sent to prison.
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