The Innocence Project of Texas

On Tuesday, July 5, 2008 Steven Phillips is expected to have his record cleared after being wrongfully convicted of a series of sexual assaults that were committed in Dallas County back in the early 1980’s.  Phillips, who is represented by Innocence Project attorney Jason Kreag, benefited from DNA testing conducted in 2007.  The results of his DNA test indicated that he was wrongfully convicted of a 1982 sexual assault.  However, because Phillips later pleaded guilty to several similar offenses, which were thought to have been committed by the same person, the District Attorney’s office required a further investigation prior to clearing Phillips’s name.  The Associated Press reports:

Dallas County prosecutors agreed earlier this year that a DNA test conducted in 2007 showed Phillips did not commit the 1982 sexual assault and burglary that sent him to prison. But Phillips’ case was complicated by the fact that he later pleaded guilty to nine similar sex crimes, cases in which no DNA evidence is available.

After reinvestigating those additional cases, the district attorney’s office agrees that Phillips did not commit them. The DA’s office will not oppose Phillips’ request to vacate his convictions.

“Everyone understood those crimes were all done by the same person,” Kreag said.

If the judge Tuesday recommends clearing Phillips’ record to the state Court of Criminal Appeals, the effect would be more than symbolic. Phillips remains on parole because of a 45-year sentence for one of his guilty pleas to sexual assault. That parole would end if the appeals court agrees with the judge’s expected recommendation.

Click here to read the rest of the Associated Press article.

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