Steven Barnes Officially Exonerated in New York

Steven Barnes was able to spend the holidays with his family for the first time in almost 20 years when DNA testing proved that he did not commit a murder for he was convicted in 1989. Even though he was released as a result of the testing, the state said the charges against Barnes would stay until further investigation.

At a hearing this morning in Utica, New York, Barnes was officially exonerated when the county apologized for his wrongful conviction and the court lifted the original indictment. Barnes is the 227th person to be exonerated by DNA evidence and is the 24th in New York.

Read the Innocence Project's press release here

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Highlights of today’s news coverage of Barnes’ case:

Utica Observer-Dispatch:

It's official: Barnes exonerated on all charges

Associated Press:

Wrongly jailed NY man formally cleared of murder

WKTV:

Steven Barnes fully exonerated for 1985 rape and murder