DNA Evidence Frees Colorado Man Who’s Been Jailed Since ’99
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — New DNA evidence has wiped out a murder conviction for a Colorado man.
After hugging members of his defense team, Timothy Masters walked out of court a free man for the first time in nearly a decade. Prosecutors say they will quickly decide whether to try him again.
Masters was just 15 when the manager at a woman’s clothing store was found stabbed and sexually mutilated. He lived near the field where her body was discovered. Masters was sentenced to life in prison in 1999 for the woman’s murder.
During recent appeals, both the defense and special prosecutors assigned to the case said crucial information was withheld from Masters’ trial lawyers.
New tests announced last week showed DNA found on the victim’s clothing was not from Masters.
