A Richmond man convicted of crimes in 1984 that authorities now believe he did not commit was released from prison Monday after being behind bars for 27 years.
On his 46th birthday, Thomas Haynesworth was released from the Greensville Correctional Facility in Jarratt, Va. From the AP:
Haynesworth was convicted for sexual assaults in Henrico and Richmond, but DNA evidence implicated another man named Leon Davis, also known as the “Black Ninja,” in two of the attacks.
Haynesworth, with the backing of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, is petitioning for writs of innocence in two remaining cases that lack DNA evidence. A hearing before the state Court of Appeals is scheduled for March 30.
Gov. Bob McDonnell, citing the “unique circumstances” of Haynesworth’s case, asked the state parole board to review it. The board granted Haynesworth parole and conditional release, McDonnell announced Friday.
