Claiming Innocence, Convicted Killer Is Freed
A man who spent 40 years behind bars for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl walked out of prison in Graterford, insisting he was innocent and offering condolences to the victim’s family.
Louis Mickens-Thomas, 75, said he never harmed Edith Connor, whose body was discovered behind his shop in 1964. Mickens-Thomas claimed that a crime lab’s fraud led to his conviction.
A federal appeals court ruled Jan. 14 that state parole officials showed “vindictiveness” in refusing to consider parole and ordered his release.
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