Gussie Vann TN

[mammastalkin]

Gussie Vann of Tennessee has been added to the list of those exonerated from death row following the dismissal of all charges against him in September 2011. Vann becomes the 139th former death row inmate exonerated since 1973. Vann was originally convicted and sentenced to death in 1994 for a sexual assault and murder of his own daughter, Necia Vann, in 1992. However, in 2008 following state post-conviction review, Circuit Court Senior Judge Donald P. Harris held that Vann was entitled to a new trial because his defense attorneys failed to hire forensic experts to challenge the state’s allegations of sexual abuse. (Id. Memorandum, at 23). At the post-conviction hearing, forensic experts contradicted the state’s earlier testimony and said there were no signs of recent sexual abuse on the victim. Judge Harris described the failings of Vann’s original attorneys as “not only prejudicial, but disastrous.” (Id.) The state elected not to appeal this ruling, though it did try to find grounds for a conviction on a lesser offense. Ultimately all charges were dropped by the state on September 22, 2011. Visist DPIC for more info.

[lisainengland]

I am so pleased this man has been able to clear his name. I wish him and all touched by this the best for the future

[Eka16]

Me too

[mammastalkin]

From the article:
A McMinn County man who was on death row for 19 years and scheduled to die in the electric chair on five dates, then was granted a new trial, has filed a $20 million lawsuit against McMinn County government.

I hope he wins! Read more here.

[lisainengland]

I hope he wins too, he deserves every cent !!!!

[wordsworth]

ooooooooooo, me to hope he wins! I live in this backwoods, vengeful mentality region and would love to see some justiceup close---natch, the local 'newspapers' will only put stories about returning local war boys(they recently DEIFIED a afghan vet who was dishon. discharged AND accused of malicious and blatanta murder of afghan civilians---he got a parade..) on the front pages. some things never change.

[wordsworth]

wish they wouldn't call it the death 'penalty.' That makes it sound like you don't get to play any games for a while. It's a NONREVERSIBLE act and wonder why people don't see the STATE killers as the murderers they are. Innocence Matters! Write your newspaper and congressperson---and then go Vote!

[billysbutton]

I hope he gets more than 20 million! So many years wasted he can't get back....the criminal justice system is so broken but thankfully he was able to be vindicated before execution! I just wonder how many have not....