Man exonerated by DNA after 35 years in jail looks forward to Dr. Pepper, says he’s not angry

Fla. man exonerated by DNA after 35 years in jail

BARTOW, Fla. — A Florida man who spent 35 years in prison has been freed after DNA evidence exonerated him.

James Bain was sentenced to life in prison in 1974 for kidnapping and raping a 9-year-old boy. He’s been pushing for DNA testing and he finally got it after the Innocence Project of Florida got involved in his case.

Tests released last week showed he could not have committed the crime. A judge ordered him freed on Thursday and he walked out of a courthouse a free man.

The 54-year-old made his first-ever cell phone call to tell his mother he’d been released. He says he’s not angry and is looking forward to eating fried turkey, drinking Dr. Pepper and hopefully going back to school.