| Glen Woodall | ||
![]() | Incident Year: 1987 Jurisdiction: WV Charge: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Robbery Conviction: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Agg. Robbery Sentence: 2 Life, plus 203-335 |
Year of Conviction: 1987 Exoneration Year: 1992 Sentence Served: 4.5 years Real perpetrator found? Yes Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification, Government Misconduct, Unvalidated or Improper Forensic Science Compensation? Yes |
The prosecution’s evidence included a partial identification by one of the victims, an identification of the clothing seized from Woodall’s house, and an identification of a smell common to the perpetrator and Woodall’s workplace. Additionally, conventional serology and hair comparisons could not exclude Woodall. DNA testing was not performed at the 1987 trial, though it was requested by the defense. After trial, a DNA test was conducted and deemed inconclusive.
Woodall continued to press for DNA testing in his appeals. PCR testing was performed on spermatozoa found in the rape kits. The DQ Alpha types from both samples matched each other, but excluded Woodall. The results were duplicated by another laboratory with the same results.
Based on these results, Woodall was granted a hearing and his conviction was vacated. He was placed on electronic monitoring. Other points of evidence brought up at this hearing were a relationship between one of the investigating officers and a victim, as well as secret hypnosis of the victims.
Further testing was performed, this time utilizing RFLP. This testing both eliminated Woodall and three others, disproving the prosecution’s theory that the samples could have been deposited by consensual partners. The State then performed testing, with the same results. The State then moved to dismiss the case, which the court granted in May 1992. Woodall was the first person to be exonerated after being convicted due to testimony by Fred Zain, who went on to be investigated for falsifying credentials and laboratory results.
| Glen Woodall | ||
![]() | Incident Year: 1987 Jurisdiction: WV Charge: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Robbery Conviction: Sexual Assualt, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Agg. Robbery Sentence: 2 Life, plus 203-335 |
Year of Conviction: 1987 Exoneration Year: 1992 Sentence Served: 4.5 years Real perpetrator found? Yes Contributing Causes: Eyewitness Misidentification, Government Misconduct, Unvalidated or Improper Forensic Science Compensation? Yes |











