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Two More To Be Exonerated

Two wrongfully convicted men sentenced to life for rape and attempted murder will start the formal process of regaining their freedom this morning. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports prosecutors say they’ve also identified the real suspects.

It was a violent, brutal crime from more than 28 years ago. Two men abducted, raped, shot, and left for dead a young Dallas woman. Found in a field near the side of the road, she survived and eventually moved out of the country. Raymond Jackson and James Williams were convicted and sentenced to life, then released on parole last year.

Earlier this year, DNA not only showed they were wrongfully convicted, but identified Marion Sayles and Frederick Anderson as the perpetrators. Both have now been indicted for attempted murder, and will be prosecuted. 

The DA’s Conviction Integrity Unit says the use of DNA testing not only proved the original suspects were incorrectly convicted, but DNA also found the alleged, actual perpetrators. District Attorney Craig Watkins will move for the exoneration of Jackson and Williams this morning in District Court.

Bill Zeeble has been a full-time reporter at KERA since 1992, covering everything from medicine to the Mavericks and education to environmental issues.