Freddie Lee Gaines Case Data
Compiled by David L. Ridenour
Copyright © 2006, Center on Wrongful Convictions
Bluhm Legal Clinic, Northwestern University School of Law
Crime date: 1972
Jurisdiction: Jefferson County, Alabama
Crime: Murder
Related crimes: A second murder
Defendant’s Age at time of crime: 22 (born July 1, 1949)
Gender: Male
Race: White
Arrest date: 1973
Victim: Mary Anne Wright
Victim’s gender: Female
Victim’s race: African American
Victim’s age: Not specified in materials reviewed
How defendant became a suspect: Identified by non-victim witness
Principal evidence of defendant’s guilt: Identification
Principal defense: Mistaken identity
Type of trial: Jury trial
Conviction date: October 23, 1974
Convicted of: Murder
Sentence: 30 years
Appellate record: None
Basis for exoneration: Confession of actual killer
Legal form of exoneration: Conviction vacated by court, pardon from governor
Causes of wrongful conviction: Erroneous eyewitness identification
Release date: July 6, 1985
Days of incarceration: 4,388 (estimated)
Prior record: None
Compensation: $1 million (special award by Alabama Legislature)
