The Texas Tribune Festival 2012

Indicted for aggravated sexual assault in 1986, Billy James Smith served nearly 20 years for a rape he did not commit. After attempting to secure DNA testing for four years, Billy James Smith was finally granted DNA testing in 2005. The tests led to his exoneration in 2006.

Kerry Max Cook was 20 years old when he was arrested for the rape and murder of an East Texas woman. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. After Cook spent two decades on death row maintaining his innocence, DNA testing proved that he was innocent.

Michael Morton and his wife, Christine, lived in Austin for 10 years before she was brutally murdered in their home in 1986. Michael was convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison. After spending nearly 25 years in prison, Michael was released in October 2011 after DNA... Read More →