I hope he gets a big chunk of change to start that life with. The state owes him some.
I think ALL Prisoners should have samples of their DNA taken so that things like this can be avoided AND unsolved crimes where the prep is already in prison can be solved.
Why didn't his lawyers take the sample and have it tested?
If I am ever falsely accused of something where there is DNA evidence I am having a test done immediately to prove myself innocent. No matter what the cost, if I'm falsely accused.
19 years ago DNA testing was hardly widespread.
Other thing is 19 years ago juries would have accepted the testimony of the victim picking him out as the perp, over DNA evidence (which they likely wouldn't have understood) showing he wasn't the perp, too....a lot has changed over that time.