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Texas makes posthumous pardon | Texas makes posthumous pardon |
(20 minutes later) | |
The governor of the US state of Texas, Rick Perry, has posthumously pardoned a man who had died in jail after being wrongly convicted of rape. | The governor of the US state of Texas, Rick Perry, has posthumously pardoned a man who had died in jail after being wrongly convicted of rape. |
It is the first time Texas has issued a posthumous pardon. | It is the first time Texas has issued a posthumous pardon. |
In 1986, Tim Cole was sentenced for the rape of a student. He always maintained he was innocent, right up to his death. | In 1986, Tim Cole was sentenced for the rape of a student. He always maintained he was innocent, right up to his death. |
He had spent 13 years in prison when he died of an asthma attack in 1999. His innocence was proved by DNA tests nearly 10 years later. | He had spent 13 years in prison when he died of an asthma attack in 1999. His innocence was proved by DNA tests nearly 10 years later. |
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | |
Mr Cole spurned an offer of early parole as it would have meant accepting guilt. | Mr Cole spurned an offer of early parole as it would have meant accepting guilt. |
Years after his death, his family demanded DNA tests after they received a letter from a convicted rapist confessing to the crime. | Years after his death, his family demanded DNA tests after they received a letter from a convicted rapist confessing to the crime. |
It transpired the man had confessed earlier. He had sent letters to court officials four years before Mr Cole died - but the admission was never followed up. | It transpired the man had confessed earlier. He had sent letters to court officials four years before Mr Cole died - but the admission was never followed up. |
Mr Perry said he hoped it would give Mr Cole's family a measure of peace. | Mr Perry said he hoped it would give Mr Cole's family a measure of peace. |
Mr Cole's mother told the BBC she was ecstatic on hearing the news - as her son had always wanted to be exonerated. | Mr Cole's mother told the BBC she was ecstatic on hearing the news - as her son had always wanted to be exonerated. |
He had written in a letter that he always believed in the justice system, even if the justice system had not believed in him. | He had written in a letter that he always believed in the justice system, even if the justice system had not believed in him. |
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