Rally Today for TN Man on Death Row – DNA Testing Shows He’s Innocent
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January 25, 2008
Nashville, TN – People are rallying outside the Tennessee Attorney General's office today, asking the Attorney General to drop the state's appeal of the Paul House case. House was sentenced to death for murdering a woman he always said he never touched, and three courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have agreed there's evidence that likely proves his innocence. Stacy Rector with the Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing says D.N.A. testing clears House of the crime so the state should, too.
"This latest ruling gave them a graceful way out, to say, 'look, there was evidence we didn't have when this case was tried, things have changed.'"
Rector says it's time to admit a mistake was made, especially in light of the fact that House has multiple sclerosis and needs expert medical care.
"Drop this appeal, retry this man with the evidence that they have now, or let him go."
The Attorney General decided last week to appeal and keep House in prison, saying the state disagreed with recent court decisions. House has been in prison for 23 years.