Innocence Blog

After 21 Years, Charges Dropped in Connecticut Case

Posted: August 19, 2009 3:01 pm

Kenneth Ireland served 21 years in Connecticut prisons before new DNA tests on crime scene evidence led to his release two weeks ago. Today, a state judge dropped all pending charges against Ireland at the request of prosecutors. Ireland is fully cleared and said he plans to have a celebratory meal tonight.

"I'm pleased this chapter in my life is behind me now," said Ireland, a tall, thin 39-year-old man with a goatee. "I feel amazing. It's been a long time coming. Just got to breathe now."

… "The very system that convicted him wrongly is the system he relied upon," said attorney Karen Goodrow, the director (of the Connecticut Innocence Project, which represented Ireland). "I think the amazing story is (Ireland) never gave up hope."

Read the full story here. (Danbury News-Times, 08/19/09)