First man cleared by DNA evidence speaks in SD

The first man freed from death row by DNA evidence said Wednesday at the University of Sioux Falls that society must listen more closely to claims of innocence from people who are convicted through eyewitness testimony. Kirk Bloodsworth, who spent nine years in prison before a 1993 DNA test overturned his conviction, had been sentenced to die based on eyewitness testimony for a 1984 rape and murder.

Bloodsworth is an honorably discharged Marine with no prior convictions. He says if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.

Bloodsworth's organization -- The Justice Project -- now works for criminal justice reform. The Justice Project says DNA evidence has been used to clear more than 200 people since 1989.

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