n 1983, a mistaken eyewitness identification led to the wrongful conviction of A.B. Butler for the aggravated kidnapping of a woman in Smith County. The victim initially identified Butler as her attacker from a book of mug shots. She also identified him in a live lineup and again during the trial. The defense presented three alibi witnesses who testified Butler was with them during the attack. However, Butler was convicted of aggravated kidnapping and rape and was sentenced to ninety-nine years in prison.
A.B. Butler spent seventeen years in prison due to one mistaken eyewitness identification.
After learning about emerging DNA technology, Butler repeatedly petitioned for DNA testing of evidence found at the crime scene. In 1999, the first set of tests were conducted by a private lab and the results were inconclusive. A second set of tests were conducted by a lab in New York using a newly developed technique that allowed scientists to better isolate male DNA and provide more sophisticated analysis. These tests proved conclusively that Butler’s DNA did not match DNA found on the victim. Butler was released in January 2000 and was granted an official pardon from Governor George W. Bush.
Because of one mistaken eyewitness identification, A.B. Butler spent seventeen years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
