Family Of Convicted Murderer Hopeful New DNA Evidence Will Prove His Innocence
By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The family of a convicted murderer embraced each other after learning that new DNA evidence could prove the man's innocence.
Anthony Wright had been convicted of the rape and murder of 77-year-old Louise Talley.
She was attacked and robbed in her home on Nice Street back in 1991.
Lawyers with the Innocence Project say new DNA evidence proves Wright did not commit the crime, but someone else did.
Defense Attorney Sam Silver says, "It was run through a federal database and it matched exactly to someone named Ronnie Byrd, who came from Philadelphia, who lived nearby where this occurred and who is unfortunately is now deceased."
Defense attorneys say Wright was forced to confess to murder during the 1993 trial.
"He was compelled to sign that confession and that's how we explain it and that's how the science explains."
Anthony Wright Junior was only a child when his father was convicted and says the family maintains his innocence.
"I'm my father's child and I know that in my being that's not something I would not do. And I know that, same thing with my father."
The DA's office agreed to a new trial, but Assistant District Attorney Mark Gilson says the DNA evidence will prove that Wright is still guilty, he just didn't act alone.
Gilson says, "Every piece of evidence in this case proves that Anthony Wright is the killer and all the DNA evidence does is proves that maybe someone else sexually assaulted her."
At the time of the arrest Wright was 20-years-old. He spent 23 years behind bars.
If convicted again, he could continue to face life in prison without parole.
Gilson says, "Anthony Wright was, is and always will be guilty for the murder of Louise Talley."
Wright is being held without bail.
A pre-trial hearing is set for next week.
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