Wrongfully imprisoned for 30 years, man finally cleared of rape.
An Innocent Man Exonerated After 30 Years: A Story of Persistence and Justice
In a remarkable turn of events, Perry Lott, a man from Oklahoma, has finally been exonerated after spending three decades behind bars for a crime he did not commit. The truth, hidden for far too long, has now come to light thanks to DNA evidence.
Released from prison in 2018 after the initial disclosure of DNA results, Lott’s conviction has now been officially vacated, marking a significant victory for justice. This triumph is a testament to Lott’s unwavering determination and resilience throughout his 35-year-long pursuit of truth and freedom.
A Long and Arduous Journey
“Mr. Lott has shown nothing but persistence and resilience in his 35-year-long pursuit of justice. He would not give up on proving his innocence. Five years ago, all evidence pointed to his innocence, but he was denied justice. We are grateful to District Attorney Erik Johnson for his commitment to righting this wrong,” expressed Innocence Project Senior Staff Attorney Adnan Sultan.
The harrowing incident took place on November 2, 1987, when a woman in Oklahoma received multiple anonymous phone calls, including a bomb threat at the restaurant where she worked. Fortunately, she managed to evacuate the building, and no bomb was found. However, her ordeal was far from over.
Upon returning home at 1:15 a.m., the woman was confronted by a gun-wielding assailant who forced his way into her house and subjected her to a horrifying rape. To add insult to injury, $120 was stolen from her purse. Despite the trauma she endured, she bravely reported the crime to the police.
During the investigation, the victim described her attacker as a black man with a partial gold front tooth. However, due to the assailant wearing a cap and jacket, she couldn’t provide further physical details, except estimating his height to be between 5’7″ and 6’2″.
During a reenactment of the crime near the victim’s home, two observant police detectives noticed a black man parked on the street. They approached the man, later identified as Perry Lott, and discovered that he had a gold tooth. Curiosity piqued, they inquired about his whereabouts during the crime. Lott explained that he was with his fiancée that night, a statement corroborated by her.
Cooperating with the police, Lott agreed to go to the Ada police station for further questioning and to participate in a lineup. However, the lineup itself was flawed, as the other participants were given gold foil to simulate a golden tooth, preventing them from fully opening their mouths. Consequently, Lott, the only one able to open his mouth fully, was mistakenly identified as the attacker. It took the victim 30 minutes to conclude that Lott was her rapist.
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Based solely on the victim’s identification, Lott was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to a staggering 100 years in prison. However, in 2014, the victim admitted to an investigator that she had been afraid of choosing the wrong man in the lineup and that nothing specific led her to select Lott.
Remarkably, the only evidence against Lott was the victim’s identification, despite her initial description of the attacker as clean-shaven, while Lott had a mustache.
Finally, in 2014, DNA testing on the evidence collected from the crime scene excluded Lott as the source of the male genetic material found on the victim’s rape kit. Shockingly, former District Attorney Paul Smith refused to overturn Lott’s conviction, disregarding this crucial evidence.
However, in 2018, just two days before the scheduled hearing to present the DNA evidence, Smith offered Lott a sentence modification that allowed him to leave prison immediately. Lott accepted the offer, reuniting with his family, but the wrongful conviction still stained his record.
Fast forward to 2023, when the Innocence Project reached out to newly elected District Attorney Erik Johnson, urging him to reconsider Lott’s case. Johnson’s office conducted a thorough review, leading to the exoneration of Perry Lott on Tuesday.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Lott expressed his gratitude following the exoneration, saying, “I have never lost hope that this day would come. I had faith that the truth would prevail — even after 35 long years. I am grateful to everyone who supported me and helped in my fight for freedom. I can finally shut this door and move on with my life.”
What does Perry Lott’s exoneration reveal about the need for reforms in the justice system
“https://www.innocenceproject.org/cases/perry-lott/”>The Innocence Project took up Lott’s case in 2013, after years of unsuccessful appeals and legal battles. The organization’s team of attorneys and advocates diligently collected and reviewed all available evidence, including DNA samples recovered from the victim’s body. In 2017, a groundbreaking discovery was made – the DNA did not match Lott’s. This evidence, along with inconsistencies in the victim’s identification and the flawed lineup, created a compelling case for Lott’s innocence.
The Innocence Project, along with Lott’s defense team, fought tirelessly for his release from prison. They presented the new DNA evidence, highlighted the flaws in the lineup procedure, and questioned the reliability of the victim’s identification. Acknowledging the lack of evidence against Lott and the presence of exculpatory evidence, District Attorney Erik Johnson made the decision to overturn Lott’s conviction.
A Bittersweet Victory
While Perry Lott’s exoneration brings a sense of relief and justice, it also raises questions about the flaws within our justice system. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the long-lasting consequences of wrongful convictions and the urgent need for reforms.
Now a free man, Lott is determined to rebuild his life and make up for the years unjustly taken from him. Although the struggle for justice has been arduous, Lott remains hopeful for a brighter future.
This story serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for justice is never easy. It requires perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to the truth, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Perry Lott’s exoneration is a testament to the tireless efforts of those who believe in the power of justice and the importance of overturning wrongful convictions.
While this case is a step in the right direction, it also highlights the need for continuous efforts to prevent and rectify wrongful convictions. The justice system must strive for accuracy and fairness, ensuring that every individual is treated justly and provided with the opportunity to prove their innocence.
As we celebrate Perry Lott’s long-awaited vindication, let us not forget the countless others who remain wrongfully incarcerated. Their stories serve as reminders of the flaws in our system and the continued need for advocacy, reform, and the pursuit of justice.
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