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Feature
Ex-Inmate Freed By DNA Is Not Bitter
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A Tampa man is becom- ing familiar with his sur- rounds. When Dwight DuBose stepped out of jail earlier this month, he also stepped into a new life.
DuBose had been given an opportunity to start his life over. But, for the past 17 years, 1 month, and 28 days, he served a life sentence for murder. The murder took place February 18, 2001, at the corner of 34th Street and E. Lila.
DuBose said he lived in the area at the time, but didn’t know the victim. When he learned the police wanted to talk with him, he went to them. He was ar- rested and charged with first-degree murder and at- tempted robbery.
After a speedy trial, he began his life sentence in
September 2001. For the next 7 years, DuBose served his sentence. But, in 2008, he received news that would change his life. His cousin told him to write to the Inno- cence Project.
He did and he continued to write them. Time contin- ued to pass, but DuBose continued to write to the In- nocence Project.
Finally, in 2011, he re- ceived a telephone call from Attorney Melisa Montle, of the Innocence Project. They had decided to take his case. Another 2 years passed before the motion for DNA testing was granted.
DuBose said the DNA came from under the victim’s fingernails. His murder trial had been conducted without having the results of the DNA testing.
After the results came back clearing DuBose, Judge Lisa Campbell
DWIGHT DUBOSE
... Served nearly 18 years in prison
overturned the conviction and granted him a new trial. DuBose, 46, said he was
brought back to Tampa in March 2018 for pre-trial and his trial was slated to begin on May 7th.
“I was prepared to go to trial, but juries don’t always understand about DNA. The State offered me a deal of time served for second de-
gree murder and I took it. I felt it was in my best interest to take the plea,” DuBose still contends that he didn’t know the victim and didn’t kill him.
However, during his pe- riod of incarceration, the two children he left behind have grown up.
“When I left, my kids were like 4 and 5. Now, I have 4 grandchildren.”
Having undergone spinal surgery and survived a bro- ken neck, DuBose said he wants to take a vocational course so that he can work.
“I believe this is a pro- found lesson for us all. As we will face those who wish to make us feel less than, never let someone’s judgment or provocation make us feel in- ferior or unworthy, always let your behavior reflect your pride in who you are,” Dwight Dubose said.
“Who has more right to
be bitter and angry than me? But after nearly 2 decades behind bars, I emerged ready to reconcile with my captors. I could have started a war seeking vengeance, but I dis- played forgiveness.”
Once released, DuBose said he went straight to the home of his mother, Mrs. Jacquelyn DuBose, for some home cooking.
“I leave you with the idea that it’s possible to forgive your enemy. That’s possible to look beyond your enemy, to not only understand him, but negotiate with him for the greater good,” Dubose said.
Now, the next thing on his agenda is to learn tech- nology. The world has changed so much during the last 18 years. “I’m still having trouble learning this technol- ogy. And the city has changed so much, it’s like a different place,” he said.
FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A