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U.S. NEWS Friday 27 January 2017

On 44th birthday, man cleared in violent 1992 crime spree

alive because they feared statement from Assistant about its reliability. They
dropping the charges District Attorney Chris Bow- noted that Jones has gold
could lead to a civil lawsuit man said. “It is difficult to teeth, a prominent charac-
against the District Attor- retry any case that is more teristic that the rape victim
ney’s Office. than two decades old.” had not initially told police
Prosecutors didn’t com- On that point, the defense in describing her assailant.
ment in court Thursday but agreed. Innocence Project The defense also said pros-
issued a statement later attorneys had argued that ecutors withheld from the
saying the rape victim re- a fair trial for Jones would defense the fact that the
mains certain that Jones be impossible after more other man implicated in
was her attacker. than 24 years since the Stott’s death and the other
“In the opinion of the Dis- crimes were committed. crimes, Lester Jones, had
trict Attorney today’s pro- As for the victim’s identifi- recanted a statement link-
ceedings did not exon- cation of Jones, defense ing Robert Jones to the
erate Robert Jones,” the lawyers had raised doubts crimes. q

Robert Jones, right, speaks with reporters, with defense attorneys
Emily Maw, left, and Barry Scheck, at the New Orleans court-
house, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Prosecutors formally dropped
charges Thursday against Jones who spent more than 20 years
behind bars for a 1992 crime spree that included the slaying of
a British tourist.
(AP Photo/Kevin McGill)

KEVIN McGILL with the Innocence Proj-
Associated Press ect-New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Tears Earlier, his aunt openly
of relief and joy flowed in wept and Jones himself
a New Orleans courtroom seemed overcome, taking
Thursday as prosecutors a lengthy pause to gather
formally dropped charges his thoughts. He said he
against a man who spent was “a young boy, con-
23 years behind bars for fused, scared and afraid,”
a 1992 crime spree that when he first entered the
included rape, robbery courtroom at age 19. “To-
and the slaying of a British day is not only my birthday,
tourist. Legal advocates today is a day of justice,”
working on behalf of Rob- he told Judge Jerome
ert Jones had long argued Winsberg.“Happy birthday.
that the case was “riddled And good luck,” Winsberg
with prosecutorial miscon- replied. Winsberg formally
duct,” dating back to for- accepted the prosecu-
mer District Attorney Harry tion’s decision not to pursue
Connick’s days in office. rape and robbery charges.
An appeals court had And he vacated a guilty
thrown out Jones’ convic- plea to the manslaughter
tions in 2014. He was re- of tourist Julie Stott. Stott’s
leased on bond in 2015. On killer had been convicted
Thursday, his 44th birthday, in 1994 but police had also
he walked out of the crimi- linked Jones to the crime.
nal courthouse no longer On the courthouse steps,
under curfews or other bail- Scheck and Maw decried
related restrictions. the decision of current Dis-
“I feel like I could fly right trict Attorney Leon Canniz-
now,” a jubilant Jones told zaro to, until Thursday, con-
supporters and reporters tinue prosecuting the rape
on the courthouse steps. and robbery case against
With him was attorney Bar- Jones.
ry Scheck of the New York- In court documents, Jones’
based Innocence Project lawyers suggested Canniz-
and Emily Maw, a lawyer zaro’s staff kept the case