In March 1988, Leonard McSherry was charged with rape, oral copulation, digital penetration, and kidnapping. He was convicted and sentenced to 48 years for the kidnap and rape of a six-year-old girl. McSherry served 13 years before DNA testing in 2001 proved that he was not the perpetrator.

The six-year-old victim was kidnapped from a park near her home, driven to a house, and raped. When she arrived at the hospital, examinations revealed extreme swelling in her genital area and fresh bleeding. The girl positively identified McSherry twice from photo lineups and recognized him at a live lineup. A neighbor testified that she saw McSherry in the park where the girl was kidnapped and picked him out of a live lineup and a photo lineup. The girl’s four-year-old brother also identified McSherry in a showup, but not at a live lineup. The girl also identified McSherry’s grandparents’ house as the house where the rape occurred. She was also able to give correct details about its interior.

In 1992, McSherry sought a new trial based on newly discovered biological evidence. He was denied on grounds that the type of testing and the fragments of evidence available were insufficient, despite the fact that available tests excluded him. The State also provided experts to counter the evidence tested by the defense. The court felt the conflicting opinions meant that the evidence would have little weight.

The evidence in McSherry’s case was eventually subjected to DNA testing in 2001. He has since sought and won compensation from the State for thirteen years of wrongful incarceration.