Steven Barnes freed after 20 years in prison for 1985 murder

[Galileo]

Steven Barnes freed after 20 years in prison for 1985 murder

Steven Barnes smiles among friends and family in the ceremonial courtroom of the Oneida County Courthouse. Barnes was freed Tuesday after 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. (Earl Davis/WKTV)

By JOLEEN FERRIS
Story Created: Nov 25, 2008 at 10:46 AM EST
Story Updated: Nov 25, 2008 at 12:56 PM EST



UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - He spent nearly 20 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. On Tuesday, Steven Barnes, of Marcy, is free.

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An Oneida County Judge vacated Barnes' conviction and sentence Tuesday, citing a joint motion by the Oneida County District Attorney's Office and The Innocence Project.



The "not for profit" re-examines convictions using advances in DNA technology.



Many people still remember the murder of 16 year-old Kimberly Simon in Whitestown back in 1985, and many of them were in court to see Steven Barnes, a man whose innocence they say they never doubted, set free.



One of the first things Judge Michael Dwyer did Tuesday was ask court security to remove Steven Barnes' handcuffs and shackles.



That's about when Barnes' mother and sister began quietly crying, as the judge had cautioned against any outbursts of emotion.



Steven Barnes' family was in court, as were many of his friends and neighbors.



Barnes is free because The Innocence Project took on his case and, using advances in DNA technology, was able to exclude Barnes' DNA from DNA found on victim Kimberly Simon.



Barnes has missed a lot in 20 years - he knows nothing about cell phones, the internet, and his home and hometown look completely different.



He talked about adjusting to his new found freedom.



"For 20 years I had people telling me what to do, telling me to lock in, telling me to go to chow, telling me go here, telling me to get off the phone," Barnes said. "I spent almost 20 Christmases in jail, I used to be locked in Christmas Day."



Barnes' friends, who visited him in prison, were in court Tuesday to welcome him home.

Attorney Barry Scheck, who rose to international fame defending OJ Simpson on charges he murdered his wife, founded The Innocence Project and was in Oneida County Court Tuesday to see Barnes set free.



First stop Tuesday was for a big steak dinner at Delmonico's in North Utica.

Then, Barnes will be welcoming family and friends at their home in Marcy.



http://www.wktv.com/news/news2watch/topic6/35062809.html



Thought Questions:



1) How is it possible that there is "evidence beyond a reasonable doubt" that an innocent person raped and murdered someone?



2) What is worse: Being raped and murdered, with life insurance and/or a victim foundation supporting your family? Or an innocent person labeled a rapist and murderer, disgracing your friends and family, and spending the rest of your life in prison trying to convince others you are innocent?



3) Will the people responsible for smearing and kidnapping Barnes ever be brought to justice?

[JoeChalupa]

I heard about this. About time. :tu

[ChumpDumper]

What is worse: Being raped and murdered, with life insurance and/or a victim foundation supporting your family? Or an innocent person labeled a rapist and murderer, disgracing your friends and family, and spending the rest of your life in prison trying to convince others you are innocent?Being raped and murdered.

[Galileo]

Being raped and murdered.

that often happens when they throw innocent people into the pen.

[ChumpDumper]

that often happens when they throw innocent people into the pen.That doesn't make rape and murder less worse than the other choice you listed.

[Galileo]

That doesn't make rape and murder less worse than the other choice you listed.

It is worse. One rapist can only attack a small number of people. When the government can rape you, millions of people are at risk.

[Michael Vick]

that often happens when they throw innocent people into the pen.

It happens to us guilty folks too.

[ChumpDumper]

It is worse. One rapist can only attack a small number of people. When the government can rape you, millions of people are at risk.Nope, the being murdered part pretty much trumps the rest of it. Don't be so stupid in phrasing your questions next time.

[Galileo]

Nope, the being murdered part pretty much trumps the rest of it. Don't be so stupid in phrasing your questions next time.

When you get murdered, your family has sympathy, and usually gets financial help from life insurance or charitable foundations. When you get falsely imprisoned for murder, your family gets nothing but shame, while you get to live a living hell.

[ChumpDumper]

When you get murdered, your family has sympathy, and usually gets financial help from life insurance or charitable foundations. When you get falsely imprisoned for murder, your family gets nothing but shame, while you get to live a living hell.When you get murdered, you're dead.

[Galileo]

When you get murdered, you're dead.

OK, so at least you don't have to deal with prison guards and gruel anyone.

[ChumpDumper]

OK, so at least you don't have to deal with prison guards and gruel anyone.But you're dead.