Dwayne Jackson wasn't there when Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie and the Fiscal Affairs committee gave his 1-point-five million dollar settlement the go ahead.
Afterward, Sheriff Gillespie told Action News he was willing to meet with Jackson. "I would upon his request. But as I said, we worked through his attorneys."
Action News asked a member of Jackson's legal team if he would have gotten more money if the case had gone to trial. Richard Shonfeld replied, "Litigation always has unknowns with it, and you also have the stress of litigation." Besides, Shonfeld said, Metro wanted to settle.
Sheriff Gillespie said the DNA mix-up that sent Dwayne Jackson to prison was a tragic mistake. DNA taken from a hoodie worn in a 2001 robbery and kidnapping was linked to Jackson. His cousin was also a suspect. Metro's lab switched their DNA samples by mistake. Jackson spent nearly four years in prison. After learning of the settlement, local Bart Austin called the mix-up inexcusable. He told Action News, "In fact that's one of the good things out of the OJ trial is that DNA labs around the country were really tuned up."
A tune up underway in Metro's forensics lab. The tech who made the DNA mistake is on paid leave.
All of his work is being reviewed.
A tune up underway in Metro's forensics lab. The tech who made the DNA mistake is on paid leave.
All of his work is being reviewed.
Jackson's cousin is in jail in California on charges unrelated to the 2001 kidnapping and robbery. He can't be tried here because the statute of limitations has run out.
Keep it tuned to Action News.
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