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UC NEWS
Steven Barnes Story: Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Wrongfully Convicted Man Spent 19 Years in Prison
Written By Kevin Montano '16, PR Intern
DNA, forensic testing has come a long way
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (11/18/2014) - In 1985, Steven Barnes was convicted of rape and murder before DNA evidence and advances in DNA analysis cleared him of the charges over two decades later.The Organization of Justice Studies at Utica College will sponsor a talk by Barnes on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. when he will discuss his wrongful conviction.
Barnes’ story brought to light many inconsistencies in forensic standards. The eyewitness testimony at trial was shaky, but forensic evidence linked him to the crime. This included soil on Barnes' truck tires that was similar to soil at the crime scene, and testimony that an imprint on the outside of Barnes' truck matched the fabric pattern on a particular brand of jeans the victim wore when she was killed. Soil samples and analysis of jean patterns are two types of evidence that have not been tested to determine scientific reliability or validity.
Barnes was ultimately exonerated in 2009 when DNA evidence found that the DNA found on the victim did not match that of Barnes. The Innocence Project led the fight to clear Barnes of his charges, but it took more than 19 years and advancements in DNA analysis techniques before he was a free man once more.
The Innocence Project has worked since 1992 to help those who were wrongfully convicted to prove their innocence. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 35 people have been exonerated through DNA evidence in New York State alone.
The talk will take place in the Carbone Family Auditorium, located in the Economic Crime, Justice Studies and Cybersecurity Building. Admission is free, and the public is welcome.
About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 4,000 students in 36 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 21 graduate programs and a number of pre-professional and special programs.
