Watch CBS News

DNA Clears Oakland Man Of 1998 Child Sex Assault

OAKLAND (CBS / AP) -- An Oakland man who spent 14 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl has had his conviction overturned based on new DNA evidence.

The Northern California Innocence Project announced Monday that an Alameda County judge and county prosecutors agreed Friday to find 38-year-old Johnny Williams innocent in the 1998 case involving a child who was accosted two times in as many days. Williams knew the girl's family and she identified him as her attacker.

The new evidence was uncovered by the Innocence Project, a legal aid clinic based at Santa Clara University's law school.

They had the girl's T-shirt tested and found enough DNA to show that it could not have come from Williams.

Williams has been out of prison since January. The voiding of his conviction means he will not have to complete parole.

Another Legal Victory for Northern California Innocence Project

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.