Jan 4, 2007 7:11 pm US/Central
DNA Evidence Sets Another Man Free From Prison
by Clif Caldwell
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
In February of 2000, Andrew Gossett was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison. DNA cleared him of the crime. Gossett, 39, was released this morning.
Gossett's family spent a lot of money and energy to have him freed. Gossett's father said it was very frustrating because they were not believed or seemingly helped.
His family says they paid $1500 for DNA testing back in 2002, but it took 5 more years, and more testing, before he was released today.
Dallas County's new District Attorney Craig Watkins says his conviction was not good justice.
"Being smart on crime is utilizing these technologies that we have to find people guilty or find them innocent. And when we do that, we restore credibility. At this point I believe that credibility is damaged," Watkins said.
Gossett was seen on video tape from a convenience store the night of the incident February 23, 1999.
The victim, now deceased, says a man with a gun jumped into her car 2 miles away from the store and forced her to drive to a nearby industrial area where she was assaulted.
Police say he then forced her to drive him around more.
She identified Gossett in a photo line-up and in court, but Public Defender Brad Lollar says better judgment should be used to prevent wrongful imprisonment.
"Review the case to see if there is any other evidence that supports the eye witness identification. And if there's not, then I think those are the cases we should take very seriously and decide if we have the right person in custody," said Lollar.
The initial DNA test from 2002, according to everyone involved, was inconclusive.
Gossett's father says they're exhausted, but happy to have their son home.
Watkins says he'll work to have the governor issue a pardon and try to get the $25,000 a year payment Gossett is eligible for to him as quickly as possible.
That's $175,000 for the 7 years he was in jail.
(CBS 11 News)
