A Louisiana man walked free after spending nearly three decades behind bars for a rape that the victim herself has long insisted she did not commit, authorities said.
Patrick Brown had been convicted of aggravated rape in 1994 in a case involving his 6-year-old stepdaughter, Orleans Parish prosecutors said.
But the girl never testified, and Brown’s conviction was based on the adults testifying «about what they thought she said.» according to a statement Orleans Parish District Attorney.
The now-adult woman «has been adamant for more than 20 years» that Brown is innocent «and the evidence corroborated the victim’s account,» the district attorney said.
«Hearing and engaging victims and survivors of sexual assault is a top priority in this office,» District Attorney Jason Williams said in a statement. “It is incredibly disheartening to know that this woman was dismissed and ignored, no matter how inconvenient the truth about her was. when all she wanted was for the real offender to be held accountable.»
Criminal District Court Judge Calvin Johnson released Brown on Monday.
“When someone is wrongfully convicted, it is not only an injustice to the person who had years of their life stolen from them, but it is also an injustice to the victim and the people of New Orleans because the true perpetrator is allowed to hurt others. Williams said. saying.