LOS ANGELES (YBH) – At 19, James (Jamie) Bain was convicted of raping a 9 year old boy. After 35 years in state prison, he is today a free man, thanks to DNA testing of Mr. Bain and semen residue on the boy’s underwear. It showed he had no link to the crime, and the alibi provided by his twin sister at the time of trial was true. Mr. Bain had petitioned the court 5 times for DNA testing. His 5th appeal for justice was denied, but then overturned by an appeals court which ordered testing.
James Bain Grateful For Release
The Innocence Project of Florida , a non profit legal group which takes on appeals such as Mr. Bain’s, was instrumental in getting the testing done and gaining his release.
The group formed in 2003, targeting cases such as Mr. Bain’s. Under Florida law, Mr. Bain is entitled to $50,000 a year for every year of his wrongful incarceration. Unlike any other state, Florida has a “clean hands” provision which holds that if Mr. Bain or any other released prisoner had a prior felony conviction before or during the wrongful incarceration, he cannot collect any compensation. Mr. Bain stands to collect $1.75 million as his record is otherwise clear.
Mr. Bain is the longest-serving inmate ever to be released after DNA testing exonerated him. Asked if he was angry, Mr. Bain replied, “No, I’m not angry, because I’ve got God.”
Related posts:
- Millionaire convicted of killing wife gets 30-year sentence
- Zimmerman to be released on $150,000 bail in Trayvon Martin case
- Convicted murderer dies while on hunger strike in California
- Recidivism rises among released Guantanamo detainees
Laura spent years as a Hollywood story analyst, did a big 180, and is now an entrepreneur focused on web marketing and analytics. She's also a mom of one.Laura Glendinning article archive.
