Arthur Mumphrey marks two years of freedom

Today marks the second anniversary of Arthur Mumphrey’s exoneration in Texas.  Mumphrey was released on January 27, 2006, after serving nearly 18 years in prison for a rape he didn’t commit. He was pardoned on March 17, 2006.

In 1986, Mumphrey was wrongfully convicted of the brutal crime based on the false testimony of co-defendant Steven Thomas.  Thomas pleaded guilty during the 1986 trial and testified against Mumphrey in exchange for a 15-year sentence. DNA testing would later prove that Mumphrey’s younger brother, Charles, committed the crime with Thomas. Charles attempted to confess guilt to police at the time of the crime, but investigating officers apparently thought he was trying to take the blame for his brother because he was a juveline and would face a lighter sentence.



Read more about false testimony and informants here

.

In 2002, Mumphrey hired Houston defense attorney Eric Davis to represent him in appeals seeking DNA testing. Davis and Mumphrey were twice told that the biological evidence couldn’t be located, but they demanded a third search. The evidence was found, and DNA tests proved Mumphrey’s innocence.

Read more about Arthur Mumphrey’s case here

.

Other exoneration anniversaries this week:

Tuesday:

Wiley Fountain

, Texas

(Served 16 years, Exonerated 3/18/03)

Wednesday:

Edward Green

, District of Columbia (Served 1 year, Exonerated 3/19/90)

Julius Ruffin

, Virginia (Served 20 years, Exonerated 3/19/03)

Friday:

Andrew Gossett

, Texas (Served 7 years, Exonerated 3/21/07)