Jerry Watkins

Time Served:

14 years

State: Indiana

Charge: Murder, Rape

Conviction: Murder, Rape

Sentence: 60 years

Incident Date: 11/12/1984

Conviction Date: 09/19/1986

Exoneration Date: 07/31/2000

Accused Pleaded Guilty: No

Contributing Causes of Conviction: Government Misconduct, Informants, Unvalidated or Improper Forensic Science

Death Penalty Case: No

Race of Defendant: Caucasian

Race of Victim: Caucasian

Status: Exonerated by DNA

Alternative Perpetrator Identified: Yes

Type of Crime: Homicide-related, Sex Crimes

Forensic Science at Issue: Flawed Serology