This case was probibly the most infamous one involving wrongful convictions. Fortunately DNA evidence cleared Gary Dotson. It is just incidental that the alleged victim also denied any crime took place. In spite of the victim's recantation and evidence, prosecutors fought to the last to try to avoid looking stupid.


In May 1979, he was found guilty and sentenced to 25 to 50 years' imprisonment for rape and another 25 to 50 years for aggravated kidnapping, the terms to be served concurrently. This conviction was upheld by the appellate court in 1981. In 1985, the accusing witness recanted her testimony, which had been the main evidence against Dotson. He was not exonerated or pardoned at that time, but, due to popular belief that he was a victim of a false rape accusation, Dotson went through a series of paroles and re-incarcerations until DNA evidence proved his innocence in 1988. Dotson was subsequently cleared of his conviction.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Dotson

Did he get a big payout ?

Did he get a big payout ?
Not really. In fact his life was pretty messed up after prison. He married someone who wrote him while he was in prison. They had a child together. He was later arrested for threating her.

He was also arrested for several drunken incidents.

I think he was probibly an alcoholic which led to his original rape conviction. He was too drunk to remember what he did that night and his accuser saw an opportunity.

The time he spent in prison messed him up even more. From what I heard he had a rough time there. When he was out he could not readjust all that well. Its been about 20 years since he was last herd from. I would hope he got his act together.