QUOTE
James Lee Woodard was released Tuesday morning by state District Judge Mark Stoltz and became the 17th man exonerated by DNA in Dallas County, which has more DNA exonerations than any other county in the nation.
Mr. Woodard, 55, was convicted of murder in the strangulation of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Beverly Ann Jones, who was also raped.
"I thank God for letting me live through the experience," said Mr. Woodard.
Mr. Woodard said he had no immediate plans except to "breathe fresh, free air" and perhaps eat a hamburger. He has little family, and his mother died while he was in prison.
...
Mr. Woodard could have been paroled, but he refused to admit to a crime he did not commit. Judge Stoltz said that "spoke volumes" about Mr. Woodard's character because he considered the truth to be more important than his freedom.
Mr. Woodard, 55, was convicted of murder in the strangulation of his 21-year-old girlfriend, Beverly Ann Jones, who was also raped.
"I thank God for letting me live through the experience," said Mr. Woodard.
Mr. Woodard said he had no immediate plans except to "breathe fresh, free air" and perhaps eat a hamburger. He has little family, and his mother died while he was in prison.
...
Mr. Woodard could have been paroled, but he refused to admit to a crime he did not commit. Judge Stoltz said that "spoke volumes" about Mr. Woodard's character because he considered the truth to be more important than his freedom.
Full story:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n.ac1ea2cc.html
Thoughts? Specifically in regards to enforcing stricter punishments on convicts who may not even be guilty in the first place?