Bennie Starks was released from prison in 2006, after serving 20 years for a rape that DNA proved he did not commit. He was fully exonerated in 2013, and was granted a Certificate of Innocence by the court.
Starks is now suing the Waukegan, IL police department and the forensic experts who falsely testified against him. As a consequence of this law suit, the Waukegan police are trying to have Starks’ Certificate of Innocence revoked. Their fear is that the Certificate of Innocence will be a deciding factor in Starks’ civil law suit for compensation.
Dr. C. Michael (Mike) Bowers is a California dentist and enlightened forensic odontologist. He also edits a blog called Forensics in Focus. Dr. Bowers was involved in the exoneration of Bennie Starks, and has posted his comments about this on his blog here.
Wrongful Convictions Blog 