A judge has ordered the release of a Dallas man after declaring that DNA evidence showed he should not have been convicted of sexual assault 25 years ago.
The victim who accused Sims of rape testified that she didn't have sex with another man in a group at a party. But a recent test found DNA from the other man and not Sims.
State District Judge Gracie Lewis on Thursday ordered 61-year-old Larry Sims freed on a personal recognizance bond while his case is processed. Lewis apologized to Sims on behalf of the state of Texas for his imprisonment.
Dallas County prosecutors did not oppose Sims' release.
"We believe in fair trials as guaranteed by the Constitution," said Craig Watkins, Dallas County District Attorney in a news release. "In this case, the DNA results show that at the very least the defendant did not receive a fair trial."
