PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Alison “Tex” Clark

Office of the Ohio Public Defender

614-644-1566

DATE: August 26, 2003

INNOCENT MAN WALKS FREE AFTER NEARLY FIVE YEARS IN PRISON

TRUMBULL COUNTY, Ohio – August 26, 2003 – Steven Henderson was released from charges today after nearly five years in prison for a crime he did not commit. The lengthy legal battle for Henderson’s release, fought by Assistant State Public Defenders Alison ‘Tex’ Clark and Bill Mooney, is over today with the formal dismissal of the indictment. 

Originally sentenced to life without parole for rape in 1998, a retrial was ordered due to potential jury tampering and prosecutorial misconduct for egregiously improper comments. Henderson was retried and again sentenced to life without parole. A second retrial was ordered due to his former trial attorney’s failure to present the fact there was no medical evidence on the victim that a crime had taken place. 

Henderson has tenaciously proclaimed his innocence, and in June 2003 he successfully passed a lie detector test. 

The prosecution’s chief witness recanted her statements in August 2003, which resulted in today’s motion by Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins dropping all charges.

“It has been a long road for Henderson and his family. He has always proclaimed his innocence,” stated Attorney Clark, “For the state to finally admit they could not prove their case is a long awaited victory.” 

Henderson and his family are celebrating his release tonight. His family and his church remained his steadfast supporters throughout his years in prison for a crime he did not commit. 

Please contact Alison “Tex” Clark for more information.