Clarence Elkins, 45, was in prison for almost 7 years. He snatched a cigarette from Earl Mann, 35, when they were both inmates at Mansfield Correctional Institution. Clarence Elkins gave the cigarette to the authorities for DNA testing. It was discovered that Earl Mann was the man responsible for the crimes Clarence Elkins was mistakenly convicted of.

Judith Johnson was raped and murdered in Ohio. Judith’s grand-daughter, then 6 years old, was also raped in the same incident in 1998. Judith Johnson’s daughter, Melinda Dawson, accused Earl Mann of causing pain and devastation on her family.

Earl Mann made a plea bargain. He pleaded guilty and avoided trial and potential death sentence. Earl Mann has to serve 55 years prison for his crimes.

Clarence Elkins was released in 2005 and received $1 million from the state in a wrongful incarceration settlement.

Links contain photos -

Old story written in 2002 on Clarence Elkins.

Clarence Elkins story in detail.

The Innocence Project details.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm and is filed under Sex Crimes.