Edward Green

The Crime

On July 3, 1987, a woman was raped near a footbridge in southeast Washington, D.C. On Aug. 5, another attack occurred in the same area. The second victim managed to escape and alerted the police. 

The Investigation

After the second attack, police detained 19-year-old Edward Green, who had been in the area and resembled the description provided by the second victim. The police presented him to the second victim in a showup. When she identified him, Mr. Green was arrested.

Shortly after, the first victim identified him in a photo array and a subsequent live lineup. On Aug. 12, 1987, Mr. Green was charged with rape and kidnapping for the first attack, and assault with intent to rape for the second.

The Trial

In June 1989, Mr. Green went to trial in the District of Columbia Superior Court. The prosecution’s case hinged on the testimonies of the two victims, both of whom positively identified Mr. Green in court. 

The prosecution presented evidence that Mr. Green’s blood type had been found in the rape kit taken from the first victim.

On June 20, after three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Mr. Green of rape and kidnapping for the first incident, and acquitted him on the charge of assault with intent to rape for the second.

The Exoneration

Prior to sentencing, the defense requested that DNA testing be conducted on the first victim’s clothes. Over the objection of the prosecution, District Judge Gladys Kessler postponed sentencing and ordered the testing to be performed.

In February of 1990, the Cellmark Diagnostics laboratory issued a report excluding Mr. Green as the source of the semen found on the victim’s clothes. 

On March 19, 1990, Judge Kessler granted a defense motion for a new trial. The prosecution then dismissed the case and Mr. Green was released.