First use of DNA profiling to overturn a conviction

According to Official Guinness Records,

The first person to have a rape conviction overturned due to DNA profiling is Gary Dotson (USA), who was wrongly accused of raping Cathleen Crowell (UK), found guilty in July 1979 and sentenced to 25-50 years for rape and the same again for aggravated kidnapping. In 1988 DNA tests (not available earlier) were conducted proving that Dotson was innocent. This, in addition to the victim's lack of credibility, lead to Dotson being exonerated on 14 August 1989, having served eight years. http://www.innocenceproject.org/case/display_profile.php?id=01

For a complete list of 1988 records, please visit 1988 Guinness Records in United States.

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