Networked Knowledge - Media Report

This version of the report has been prepared by: Dr Robert N Moles

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On 5 January 2008 the Herald Sun / AAP reported “Charles Chatman cleared of rape after 27 years in Texan jail”.

It said that three times during his nearly 27 years in prison, Charles Chatman went before a parole board and refused to admit he was a rapist. His steadfastness was vindicated yesterday, when a judge released him after DNA evidence proved he wasn't. The release of Mr Chatman, 47, added to Dallas County's tally of wrongfully convicted inmates. "Every time I'd go to parole, they'd want a description of the crime or my version of the crime," Mr Chatman said. "I don't have a version of the crime. I never committed the crime. I never will admit to doing this crime that I know I didn't do."

District judge John Creuzot, who defence lawyers credited with shepherding Mr Chatman's case for exoneration through the legal system, recommended that Texas's Court of Criminal Appeals find Mr Chatman not guilty. As several relatives dabbed at their eyes with tissues and cheered, Mr Chatman was released. "I really can't tell you how I feel," said his aunt, Ethel Barley. "But I can tell you it is a different feeling than I have had in a long time, just to be holding his own hand." Mr Chatman became the 15th inmate from Dallas County since 2001 to be freed by DNA testing.

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