Donald Eugene Gates
Time Served: 27 years
The Innocence Project did not have a role in exonerating this person. For the full history and details of this case, please visit the National Registry of Exonerations at the link below.
State: District Of Columbia
Charge: First degree felony murder while armed, rape while armed, carrying a pistol without a license
Conviction: First degree felony murder while armed, rape while armed, carrying a pistol without a license
Sentence: 20 to life
Incident Date: 06/22/81
Conviction Date: 09/16/82
Exoneration Date: 12/18/09
Served: 27 years
Race of Defendant: African American
Race of Victim: Caucasian
Status: Exonerated by DNA
Type of Forensic Science Problem: Hair Analysis
Type of Crime: Homicide Related, Sex Crimes
Contributing Causes of Conviction: Informants, Unvalidated or Improper Forensic Science
The Alternative Perpetrator Identified: No, Yes
Accused Plead Guilty: No
Death Penalty Case: no
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