Man wrongly imprisoned for 7 years for rape, now exonerated.

A Tale of Injustice: ‌Man‍ Exonerated⁣ After 47 Years

In a remarkable turn‌ of events, Leonard Mack, a man ‍who spent seven years in ‌prison for a⁤ crime ​he always‌ insisted he didn’t​ commit, has finally been exonerated‍ through DNA testing.

Back⁣ in March 1976, Leonard Mack, then 72 years ⁣old, was ⁣wrongfully convicted of rape and two counts of criminal possession of a ⁣weapon. Despite maintaining his innocence ‍throughout his incarceration, it wasn’t until 47​ years later ‍that‍ DNA testing proved⁣ his innocence⁣ and identified the ⁣true perpetrator.

The Innocence Project, in collaboration with the⁢ Westchester County District Attorney’s ​Conviction Review Unit,‌ played a⁤ crucial role in reviewing the evidence from Mack’s case. By utilizing a DNA profile developed from the ⁤evidence‌ and uploading ⁢it ⁣into⁢ state ‌and local DNA databases, ‌they were able to identify the ‍real culprit. This‌ groundbreaking exoneration marks the⁤ longest wrongful conviction to be ⁢overturned based on DNA evidence.

However, DNA ⁣was not the sole factor‍ in Mack’s exoneration. Eyewitness misidentification and misleading ⁤forensic testimony also played ⁣significant roles in his ‌wrongful conviction.

A New Lease on Life

“I want ‌to first thank⁣ God for this day,” ⁣Mack expressed‌ after his⁣ exoneration. “Next, I⁤ want to⁤ thank the Innocence Project. Today has been a long ⁢time coming. I⁤ lost seven-and-a-half‌ years ⁣of my life in prison for a crime I did not commit, and I have⁤ lived with ⁣this injustice hanging over my head for almost 50 years. It ⁤changed the course ‍of my life — everything‍ from ⁤where I lived ​to⁤ my relationship with‌ my family. ⁣I never lost hope that one day… I would be proven innocent. Now the truth has come to light, and ⁣I can finally breathe. I am‌ finally ‌free.”

The incident ⁢that led to Mack’s ⁢wrongful ​conviction occurred on May 22, 1975, when two 12th-grade girls were walking ⁢home from school⁤ in Greenburgh, New⁤ York.‌ They were approached by a ‍black man in his early 20s, armed with a gun. He threatened their⁤ lives, blindfolded ⁣and⁢ gagged⁢ them, and subjected them to a horrifying ordeal. ​One of the ‍girls was raped before ⁤the⁤ assailant fled the ‌scene.

Despite the ⁣trauma they endured, ⁢the victims⁣ provided crucial descriptions of ⁣the perpetrator. The suspect was ​described​ as​ a black man in his early 20s, with⁢ short‌ hair,‌ no beard, ​and a medium‌ build.‍ He was wearing a black hat with a ⁤white brim, a gold ​earring in his ⁢left ear, black pants, and a ⁣tan jacket.

A few hours later, Leonard Mack was ​pulled over by a police officer.‌ Coincidentally, he ​was wearing a black fedora and had a ‌gold earring in his left ear.‍ Although his clothing didn’t match‌ the description, the officer ⁤informed him that⁤ he resembled the suspect.‍ Mack vehemently ‌denied any involvement ⁣and⁣ provided an alibi,​ stating that he had been with his girlfriend​ during the​ time of the attack, which​ she confirmed. ⁢However, a search of Mack’s vehicle led to ​the discovery of a ‍.22 caliber handgun, similar​ to ⁣the one used in the rape.

Mack’s arrest led⁤ to a flawed identification process. One of​ the victims was ‍brought to ⁣the ⁢scene, ​where‌ Mack ‌was ⁤handcuffed, in an‍ attempt to identify him. Uncertain, she ⁢requested that ⁢the officers position him ⁢to match the suspect’s stance. Once​ they⁤ did, she identified him as⁢ the assailant. Later, she was shown a photo lineup that ‌included Mack’s picture, which stood out due to its unique background. She chose his⁣ photo.

The other victim, who had limited vision, was ⁤also subjected to ⁣the same suggestive photo lineup. Although she couldn’t be certain, she selected‌ Mack’s photo. Furthermore, she was shown​ Mack himself behind ⁣a‍ one-way mirror, with the⁤ other victim present, ‍who​ confirmed his ​identity as‌ the assailant.

During ⁣the trial, three individuals provided an alibi for ​Mack, testifying that he ⁣was ‍with them during the afternoon of the crime. Additionally, a​ defense ⁣expert testified that the sperm found on ​the victim’s rape ​kit excluded Mack as the perpetrator, as serological testing revealed that the assailant had blood type A, ​which​ Mack did not possess. However, a⁣ state expert incorrectly suggested that the victim herself could have​ been ⁤the source of⁢ this ‌biological evidence.

Despite being ruled ⁣out forensically in ⁢1976, before the existence ⁢of DNA evidence, it took nearly five decades for Mack to be exonerated‌ through DNA testing.

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