Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company
MIAMI, June 15 — A retarded man who spent 22 years behind bars for six murders was ordered freed today after DNA evidence indicated he had not committed crimes to which he confessed.
Judge Scott J. Silverman of Miami-Dade Circuit Court said the inmate was the victim of "an enormous tragedy."
Jerry Frank Townsend, 49, was convicted of two murders and pleaded guilty to four others and a rape. He was serving seven life sentences. His I.Q. is 50 to 60, the authorities said.
A Broward County judge had already set aside convictions for four murders in the Fort Lauderdale area, after DNA evidence cleared Mr. Townsend of two in April and a review of his confession left the other two in doubt. Miami- Dade County prosecutors have dropped charges against him.
Mr. Townsend was charged in 1979 with rape in Miami and confessed to other slayings.