Were righting this wrong today, finally.. Wrongful convictions erode the foundation of our justice system. I praise them for all they did. was wrongfully convicted of raping and murdering a woman walked free Thursday after 37 years behind bars. I have been waiting for this day for nearly 37 years. Reserved. On Sept. 10, 2020, the Innocence Project filed a Motion for Post-Conviction Relief and Vacate Judgment and Sentence based on newly discovered evidence. In March 1985, a jury convicted DuBoise of capital murder and attempted sexual battery. Weve had an innocent man locked up for a crime that he did not commit, while the real perpetrator was never held accountable for this horrific murder, Andrew H. Warren, the Hillsborough County state attorney, said at a news conference on Wednesday. [emailprotected]. He served three years on death row before the Florida Supreme Court vacated his death sentence. He may be eligible for substantial compensation: in February, the state of Florida approved a $2 million compensation claim for a man whod been in prison since 1976 for a murder he didnt commit. The case against DuBoise was weak from the start. In 1983, no reasonable dentist or forensic odontologist believed that bite mark molds made from beeswax impressions constituted a reliable or generally accepted basis for either identifying or excluding potential murder suspects, the suit states. Souviron also allegedly said that If the detectives say he did it, I am going to go in there and say he did it., Souviron created a mold of DuBoises teeth using beeswax, which the complaint says was scientifically unreliable and only used because another officer in the Tampa Police Department operated a honey business on the side.. Beyond that, wrongful convictions threaten public safety, putting an innocent person behind bars while the actual person who committed the crime goes free.. DNA evidence proved his innocense in the rape and murder of Barbara Grams. In fact, the original prosecutions case rested rested primarily on two pieces of evidence:the testimony of a fellow inmate, and a woundon the woman's cheek that a dental expert identified as a bite mark from DuBoise's teeth, according to. Today, Robert finally has some measure of justice. Following DuBoises exoneration last year, Souviron told the Tampa Bay Times that he wouldnt be so adamant about his guilt if given another opportunity to testify. One violent felony or more than one nonviolent felony will disqualify a person from Floridas Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Act which grants $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment by the State. In fact, the victims injury was not a human bitemark at all, Daniel Marshall, an attorney for the Human Rights Defense Center, wrote in the lawsuit. In addition, the lawsuit contends that investigators conspired with jailhouse informants to falsely implicate DuBoise and were guilty of misconduct. Robert has spent decades determined to show that he was wrongfully convicted, and we are eager to see him fully exonerated, said Susan Friedman, DuBoises Innocence Project attorney. The dentist, Dr Richard Souviron, gained notoriety as an expert after testifying in the murder trial of serial killer Ted Bundy that one of his Florida victims had a bite mark that matched his teeth. Major problems in the case quickly emerged. Im just very grateful to all of you.. Florida remains the only state to disqualify exonerees from compensation if they were formerly convicted of unrelated felony offenses. He denied receiving any benefit in exchange for his testimony. DuBoise was re-sentenced to life for the murder and 15 years for the attempted sexual battery to run consecutively. Lack of finances leads to lack of proper representation as we all know. He was arrested around 5:00 a.m., and, after he started screaming and kicking, he was restrained by ropes and handcuffs and sedated with a tranquilizer called Haldol. Within weeks, through the cooperation of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office, the Innocence Project, and the local assistance of the Innocence Project of Florida, DuBoise was released from prison August 27, 2020, into the arms of his mother, Myra, his sister, Harriett, and his attorney Susan Friedman. At DuBoises trial, the jailhouse informant explained that he was testifying for two reasons: (1) he did not condone forcing a woman to do anything; and (2) he did not want Robert to take the whole blame for the crime. 1:32. STAFF LOGIN. All Filters. There was no other evidence connecting DuBoise to the crime until he was transported to Hillsborough County Jail where a jailhouse informant falsely alleged that DuBoise made statements implicating himself in the crime. Indiana and Missouri permit a judge to determine the sentence if jurors cannot reach a unanimous sentencing verdict. If a judge approves the motion on Thursday, Mr. DuBoise could walk out of Hardee Correctional Institution in Bowling Green, Fla., on Thursday afternoon, after 37 years behind bars. In many wrongful convictions, such as DuBoises, these benefits provided in exchange for their testimony are never disclosed. 2023 Innocence Project. Fraud Alert:We have heard that there are people who fraudulently represent themselves as working for the Innocence Project of Florida, promising legal representation in exchange for money. Robert. View Robert Dubois results in Fort Lauderdale, FL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. The best result we found for your search is Robert G Dubois age 60s in Naples, FL in the Palm River neighborhood. DuBoise is represented by the Innocence Project, who worked collaboratively with the Conviction Review Unit at the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa. This case was filed in Osceola County Courts, Not Classified By Court located in Osceola, Florida. If you believe you have been contacted by such a person, please. Another leading factor in wrongful convictions nationally is jailhouse informant testimony, playing a role in 17 percent of the 375 DNA-based exoneration cases. This directly contradicted the Assistant State Attorneys statement to the jury that the informant was in prison and that he would be going right back to prison to finish serving his sentence. Anyone can read what you share. In 2019, the Innocence Project reached out to the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) at the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa to begin a joint re-investigation based on new evidence on the jailhouse informant and concerns about the discredited bite mark evidence. Emailus. The testimony of DuBoises fellow inmate was also called into doubt. Dr. Souviron concluded that it was a match and detectives immediately arrested DuBoise who, at the time, was only 18 years old. Marshall provided support for the claim by quoting several lines from a speech Souviron gave just before DuBoises trial. His sentence was reduced in 1988 to life in prison until his exoneration and release last year. The American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO) has revised its standards and guidelines, and now explicitly states that an ABFO Diplomate shall not express conclusions unconditionally linking a bite mark to a dentition.. When questioned, the then-18-year-old DuBoise fully cooperated with the officers. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Innocence Project: DNA testing excludes DuBoise in a case that rested on unreliable bite mark evidence and jailhouse informant testimony. Im so happy to see that the Innocence Project has been successful in freeing another innocent person and so happy that youre free, Robert, but also incredibly sad for all you have lost. Mr. A free man for the first time since he was a teenager, Mr DuBoise must now put his life back together after almost 40 years in prison, the lawsuit says. The Innocence Project of Florida served as local counsel on the case. Resides in Fort Walton Beach, FL . From a human point of view, of course, I feel terrible, Souviron reportedly said, adding: I played a part in his conviction. The Innocence Project, which is affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, is a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice. The State sought this sentence reduction even though the Florida Parole and Probation Commission recommended against an earlier presumptive parole date. In August 2006, DuBoise filed a motion for post-conviction DNA testing. and indictments stem from bite mark evidence, and the misapplication of forensic science was involved in 45 percent of DNA exoneration cases. It wont be easy. The only physical evidence implicating Mr. DuBoise was fabricated bitemark evidence that supposedly matched Mr. DuBoise to an injury on the victims body. The CRUs audit is the first systematic review of bite mark cases that has been initiated by a prosecutors office. Investigators have two new persons of interest in the case. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. 2. DuBoise appealed his case in 2006, hoping to prove his innocence with DNA evidence that couldn't be properly processed in the '80s. Email: [emailprotected] (August 27, 2020 Tampa, Florida) Today, Robert DuBoise walked free after spending almost 37 years in prison for a 1983 rape and murder in Tampa, Florida, he did not commit. The states theory at trial was that DuBoise, his brother Victor DuBoise and friend Raymond Garcia sexually assaulted and killed the victim, though only DuBoise was arrested and prosecuted for these crimes. provided cannot be used for any unlawful purpose. I am grateful to the Conviction Review Unit for their partnership on this case and look forward to collaborating on re-examining other bite mark cases to identify other wrongful convictions that resulted from the use of this highly unreliable evidence. said Susan Friedman, DuBoises Innocence Project attorney. DuBoise is represented by the Innocence Project, who worked collaboratively with the Conviction Review Unit at the Office of the State Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa. The Medical Examiner also identified what was thought to be a human bite-mark on the victims cheek. That was six months before Grams was killed. He was released from prison last month. Website by MADEO. Dan Sullivan, After 37years, hes free. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Robert A. Dubois of Port Charlotte, Florida, who passed away on June 6, 2022, at the age of 80, leaving to mourn family and friends. Based on the junk science of bite mark evidence and the unreliable testimony of a jailhouse informant, DuBoise was convicted and sentenced to death. ROBERT DUBOIS SALES at PR Winter Park, Florida, United States. Thank you for visiting us. . DuBoise has not yet been officially exonerated. In brief remarks during the hearing, DuBoise, who was 18 at the time of the crime, said he had a lot of roadblocks thrown in my path. Souviron famously helped authorities convict Ted Bundy for the 1979 murder of Lisa Levy based on the bite mark the notorious serial killer left on the victims buttocks. We found 28 records for people named Robert Dubois in 25 cities in Florida throughout Titusville, Orlando, and 23 more cities! The Innocence Project of Florida served as local counsel on the case. The discovery of a rape kit for victim Barbara Grams, which had been presumed destroyed decades earlier, provided conclusive evidence that Robert DuBoise wasn't guilty of the 19-year-old's 1983 rape and murder. The Hillsborough County prosecutors office said Ms. Gramss family had been extremely understanding, but they are not prepared to make any public comments right now.. The expert who testified that it was Mr. DuBoises bite has since renounced similar evidence in other cases, Mr. Warren said. The first thing he wanted to do was hug his mom. Address: 3600 Oak Tree Ln Titusville, FL 32780, Address: 660 Karen Dr Titusville, FL 32780, Address: 880 Edgewood Rd Titusville, FL 32780, Address: 2641 Arpana Ct Orlando, FL 32839, Address: 13657 Tetherline Trl Orlando, FL 32837, Address: 1802 NE 15th Ter Gainesville, FL 32609, Address: 900 S Kentucky Ave Winter Park, FL 32789, Address: 950 Southlakes Way SW Vero Beach, FL 32968, Address: 1827 Thornhill Rd Wesley Chapel, FL 33544, Address: 3776 Inverrary Blvd Lauderhill, FL 33319, Address: 565 Deer Creek Run Deerfield Bch, FL 33442, Address: 138 Colonial Blvd Palm Harbor, FL 34684, Address: 108 Elmwood Cir Seminole, FL 33777, Address: 8071 Kiawah Trce Port St Lucie, FL 34986, Address: 6465 142nd Ave N Clearwater, FL 33760, Address: 4253 Rudder Way New Prt Rchy, FL 34652, Address: 302 Sterling Dr Winter Haven, FL 33884, Address: 1035 E De Carlo Dr Deltona, FL 32725, Address: 20 S Compass Dr Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308, Address: 11406 Mystical Ln Bryceville, FL 32009, Address: 6101 Cleveland St Hollywood, FL 33024, Address: 6603 10th Ave W Bradenton, FL 34209, Address: 3256 St Ives Blvd Spring Hill, FL 34609, Address: 18504 Kuldin Ave Pt Charlotte, FL 33948, Address: 1248 Polk St Melbourne, FL 32935, Address: 34604 Sweetpea Ln Zephyrhills, FL 33541. That will occur when the charges against him are formally dismissed. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The family of the victim deserves to have the truth, and this new evidence helps reveal the truth for all of us., Mr. Warren said he had apologized to Mr. DuBoise on behalf of the entire criminal justice system., The only person who benefits from wrongful conviction is the actual perpetrator, Mr. Warren said. The testimony of DuBoises fellow inmate was also called into doubt. All rights reserved. Robert DuBoise, 56, was freed in August last year after long-shelved untested DNA evidence from a rape kit proved he was innocent of the rape and murder of 19-year-old Barbara Grams in Tampa. During the medical examiners autopsy, he found a pattern injury on the victims face that was determined to be a human bite mark inflicted around the time of her death. 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