On December 22, 2005, Entre Nax Karage was officially pardoned by Texas Governor Rick Perry on the basis of actual innocence. Postconviction DNA testing proved that Karage was innocent of the 1994 murder of his girlfriend. Additionally, the profile obtained from spermatozoa found in the victim is consistent with that of another man who was previously convicted of a very similar crime. Based on this evidence, a full pardon was granted.

In his statement, Governor Perry said, “I believe that a full pardon for innocence must be supported by strong evidence, such as forensic DNA tests. In both of these cases [referring to Karage and Keith E. Turner], new DNA evidence proves that these men are innocent. The recommendations of the district attorney, judges, the Dallas County Sherriff, the Dallas Chief of Police and the Board of Pardons and Paroles also were very important factors in my decision.”