New Evidence Frees Michael Morton after 25 Years in Prison
As reported by the Austin American-Statesman on October 3rd, 2011, Michael Morton will be released from prison after serving 25 years for the 1986 murder of his wife. New evidence proves the widow did not commit the crime. Recent DNA tests link the killing to another man, a felon identified as John Doe in court because he has not yet been arrested. The John Doe also has been linked to the unsolved Austin murder of Debra Jan Baker in 1988.
Defense attorneys, including Gerry Goldstein, say key evidence and substantial leads were overlooked in the case. An investigation will continue into allegations that then-prosecutor Ken Anderson and sheriff’s investigators improperly withheld evidence that could have saved Morton from a guilty verdict.
The Austin American-Statesmen discusses this matter further online.