Rape verdict overturned after 10 years in prison

Waterbury Republican-American ^ | April 10, 2007 | Annabelle Garay (A.P.)

[Monk Dimittis]

Impossible. Every FReeper knows that in our system of justice the innocent are always exonerated and the convictions are always immaculate.

I think of those here who suggest they should have just shot the guy immediately upon conviction.

[lovecraft]

Giles, who left with courtroom with a smile, said he doesn't hold a grudge against the state. The judge complimented him on his positive attitude about his ordeal.

He's a better man than me, 10 yrs of my life wasted for nothing, locked in a cell. Don't think I could have a positive attitude.

[Clint Williams]

He’s probably guilty of something else. Hang him.

[Dudoight]

It is more than a tragedy when an innocent is convicted. It is a travesty when a guilty escapes conviction. No system is perfect. Look at that scumbag Nifong.

[JamesP81]

Giles, who left with courtroom with a smile, said he doesn't hold a grudge against the state. The judge complimented him on his positive attitude about his ordeal.

Then he's a better man than I.

[B-Chan]

Police eventually arrested James Curtis Giles, who lived 25 miles away and did not match the description of the attacker given by the rape victim, Potkin said. Giles was about 10 years older and had gold teeth.

Investigators ignored another man with a similar name: James Earl Giles. That Giles lived across the street from the victim and had previously been arrested with Brown on other charge

Yep, that's the Dallas County DA, all right...

[JamesP81]

I think of those here who suggest they should have just shot the guy immediately upon conviction.

You won't have to think of them long, because I'm sure they'll be along shortly...

[Graybeard58]

Hey, they got somebody, the name was similar..... Close enough.

[JamesP81]

It is more than a tragedy when an innocent is convicted. It is a travesty when a guilty escapes conviction.

If we must err then, it is preferable that we err towards the guilty escaping than the innocent being caught.

[CT-Freeper]

It is more than a tragedy when an innocent is convicted. It is a travesty when a guilty escapes conviction. No system is perfect. Look at that scumbag Nifong.

So which is worse, a "more than a tragedy" or a "travesty"?

In my opinion, as much as I hate to see it happen, it's better to let the guilty free than to imprison the innocent each and every time.

[Sue Perkick]

Good thing he doesn’t live in Durham, where DNA doesn’t matter.

[JamesP81]

In my opinion, as much as I hate to see it happen, it's better to let the guilty free than to imprison the innocent each and every time.

We are in agreement then. Ultimately, no system is perfect, but we do have some control on how the imperfections effect things.

[NorthFlaRebel]

What lead them to investigate and eventually arrest this guy, I wonder? These kinds of stories always puzzle me. The guy lived 25 miles away and did not match the description. He didn’t have one person who could say he was somewhere else when the gang rape happened? This sounds like ineffective counsel if I ever heard of it unless a whole bunch of info is missing.

[Balding_Eagle]

Society has an obligation to base justice on all and best evidence available at the time. It’s not clear if that happened here or not. Ten years ago DNA was used. Why not here?

Civilized societies also have a moral duty to execute those among us who prey on innocent women and children. On this point we fail the civilized test. The methods we use to punish these kinds of criminals are barbaric, and constitute a cruel punishment on the victims and the rest of society.

[Mr. K]

Ok this stinks- they ignore a guy who LIVES ACROSS THE STREET and arrest a guy from miles away?

When the guy across the street has a history with another suspect?

When the witness herself was not certain?

I hope he sues their asses off.

I am NOT one here who thinks the police and justice system are all fair and just... They are full of idiots, just like every government agency.

[Graybeard58]

Civilized societies also have a moral duty to execute those among us who prey on innocent women and children.

The man wrongly deemed guilty would be dead in this case as well as 26 others in Texas alone.

The number was 23 in Illinois, the last time I looked.

[Graybeard58]

I hope he sues their asses off.

States are rapidly enacting laws limiting how much can be paid in these cases. Usually a very low amount considering the long term loss of freedom involved.

[conservative blonde]

Do you actually think he would project a negative attitude before he is actually out of jail for good? He was just being smart. When he is actually free is time enough to wage war against the system that wrongly convicted him.

[lovecraft]

Do you actually think he would project a negative attitude before he is actually out of jail for good? He was just being smart.

He didn't have a bad attitude, I would be pissed. The evidence released him, not his attitude. That's why I said he was a better man than me. I don't think I could have had his positive attitude.