The Innocence Project of Texas

Johnnie Lindsey was convicted of committing a 1981 rape, and he has spent the last 25 years and 11 months proclaiming his innocence.  Lindsey, who is represented by Michelle Moore, President of the Innocence Project of Texas Board of Directors, has now been proven innocent by DNA testing.  A hearing is scheduled for Friday, and Moore is optimistic that Lindsey will be released at that time.

The Dallas Morning News reports:

On Aug. 25, 1981, the victim was riding her bike around White Rock Lake about 11 a.m. when she saw a shirtless man standing on the path in a wooded area, according to court records.

As she tried to ride past him, the man grabbed the handlebars of her bike and knocked her off, court records show. He said he had a knife and threatened to stab her if she didn’t do as he said. After being sexually assaulted, the woman managed to get away and ran for help, covering herself with a paper bag she found, according to court records.

Mr. Lindsey has maintained his innocence through two trials and several parole board hearings, Ms. Moore said. His first conviction was overturned because he was indicted under a statute that was not in effect at the time of the incident. The Dallas County district attorney’s office retried him and got the same conviction.

“The reasons they gave for not granting him parole were because of the nature of the crime and because he would not admit to the offense,” Ms. Moore said. “It’s been almost 26 years. I can’t believe he didn’t just admit to the assault so he could be released.”

For the rest of the DMN article, click here.

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