Law Offices of Tim Powers, Denton, Texas

940.580.2899

Henry McCollum and Leon Brown were released today after serving decades in prison. McCollum and Brown (siblings) were both teenagers at the time, when they were charged with rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl, Sabrina Buie.

Evidence of beer cans, cigarettes and condoms were found in the area where the body was found. Thanks to technology, officials were able to use the DNA from one of the cigarette butts to set McCollum and Brown free. It turns out that the DNA on the cigarette butt matched a man named Roscoe Artis, who is a convicted rapist and murder that is currently serving a life sentence in prison for a separate conviction.

McCollum, who is now 50, was sentenced to death and his half-brother, Brown, was sentenced to death as well but later got it reduced to life.

It blows my mind that innocent people can be punished for a crime they did not commit. Unfortunately, this does happen. The two men will face a rough, long road ahead of them. According to the Charlotte Observer, “both [men] are mentally challenged, with IQ tests scoring in the 50s and 60s. They struggle with basic reading and writing.” They have lived their whole life in confinement and now are being thrown out into the real world. In addition, they will be still haunted from their time spent in jail. Their recovery won’t be an easy one. What do you have to say?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/02/justice/north-carolina-dna-frees-convicts/index.html?iref=allsearch

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/02/5145584/convictions-of-robeson-men-in.html#.VAdwevnxodU

If you are seeking aggressive criminal representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney for your Denton County criminal case or arrest in Denton County, contact the offices of Tim Powers today. There is no charge or obligation for the initial consultation. 940.580.2899

*Tim Powers is an attorney licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice. For legal advice about any specific legal question you should directly consult an attorney. Criminal Defense Lawyers with Unparalleled Passion for Success Providing Quality Representation for your Denton, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Corinth, Highland Village Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, or Dallas County criminal case.