DNA testing frees accused rapist
Three times during his nearly 27 years in prison, Charles Chatman went before a parole board and refused to admit he was a rapist.
His steadfastness was vindicated when a judge released him because of new DNA evidence showing he indeed wasn’t.
The release of Chatman, 47, added to Dallas County’s nationally unmatched number of wrongfully convicted inmates.
“Every time I’d go to parole, they’d want a description of the crime or my version of the crime,” Chatman said.
“I don’t have a version of the crime. I never committed the crime. I never will admit to doing this crime that I know I didn’t do,” he said.
Judge John Creuzot, whom defense lawyers credited with shepherding Chatman’s case for exoneration through the legal system, recommended that Texas’ Court of Criminal Appeals find Chatman not guilty. The step is considered a formality.
With several relatives dabbing at their eyes with tissues and cheering, Chatman was released.
He became the 15th inmate from Dallas County since 2001 to be freed by DNA testing. He served more time than any of the other inmates, four of whom were in court to show their support.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
