Appeals court upholds reversal of Innocent Man conviction
A Denver Court ruled Karl Fontenot innocent in a 1984 kidnapping, based on newly discovered evidence that the court said was withheld by prosecutors at the time.
Credit: Africa Studio - stock.adobe.com Author: KEN MILLER Associated Press Published: 4:35 PM CDT July 15, 2021 Updated: 4:35 PM CDT July 15, 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY A federal appeals court has upheld a federal judge s reversal of the murder conviction of an Oklahoma man whose case was featured in the book and television series ‘The Innocent Man.’
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled 2-1 that Karl Fontenot, 56, has shown actual innocence in the 1984 kidnapping and death of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City, based on newly discovered evidence that the court said was withheld by prosecutors at the time.
The Innocent Man.
A three-judge panel of the US 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled 2-1 that Karl Fontenot, 56, has shown actual innocence in the 1984 kidnapping and death of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada, about 113 kilometres south-east of Oklahoma City, based on newly discovered evidence that the court said was withheld by prosecutors at the time. Weâre very happy, Karl is ecstatic, and weâre just waiting to see what happens next,â Mr Fontenot s attorney, Tiffany Murphy told The Associated Press today.
READ MORE:
Karl Fontenot was 20 at the time of his arrest in 1984.(Supplied)
The state has 120 days from the date of Tuesday s ruling to decide whether to retry Mr Fontenot, according to the ruling.
Appeals court upholds reversal of Innocent Man conviction newsadvance.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newsadvance.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.