The Virginia parole board has granted parole and conditional release to Thomas Haynesworth, who was convicted in 1984 for sexual assaults in Henrico and Richmond but was exonerated by the Virginia Supreme Court in 2009.
Haynesworth, who has been incarcerated for more than 25 years, was exonorated in two attacks based on DNA evidence found at the scene, which implicated a another man named Leon Davis.
With the backing of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Haynesworth is also petitioning for writs of innocence for two remaining convictions, though there is no biological evidence available in those cases.
“In light of the unique circumstances of this case, I asked the Parole Board to conduct an immediate review of this case in order to determine if Mr. Haynesworth is suitable for parole,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell. “Mr. Haynesworth is being conditionally released according to terms set by the Parole Board and will remain under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. I will follow the Writ of Actual Innocence process as it moves forward and will consider a petition for pardon, should one be filed.”
