BRUNSWICK, Georgia (CBS46) – A 59-year-old man who served over 20 years in prison for a double homicide was acquitted on Monday, one year after his conviction was overturned.
Dennis Perry was charged with murdering Harold and Thelma Swain in 1985. The deacon and his wife were shot dead in the anteroom of Waverly Church during an evening Bible study. Perry was found guilty 18 years after the 2003 murders and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. He always protested his innocence.
“It took a long time, but I never gave up,” said Perry. “I knew that someday someone else would see the truth, and I’m so grateful to the Georgia Innocence Project and King & Spalding for bringing the truth to light. This indictment has hung over my head for over 20 years and it is a great relief to finally not have to fear being charged with this terrible matter. “
In 2020, Perry’s legal team from the Georgia Innocence Project and King & Spalding presented evidence of prosecutorial misconduct and new DNA evidence to then District Attorney of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, Jackie Johnson, which exonerated Perry and pointed to an alternate suspect she allegedly repeats with bragged about committing the murders. In July 2020, a judge granted Perry’s motion and ordered that Perry be released at his own discretion while awaiting the prosecutor’s decision to dismiss the charges. The charges were finally dropped on Monday.
“Overturning a conviction in a case of this magnitude requires significant resources and we consider pro bono work a professional responsibility and an important part of our firm’s service to society,” said Susan Clare of King & Spalding. “Our team feels privileged and proud to have represented Dennis and to have helped to regain his freedom.”
Since his release from prison, Perry has spent time at home with his wife, Brenda, reconnecting with friends and family, trying to rest and find their way around. Georgia is one of 14 states that currently does not have a statutory compensation law to provide financial relief for years lost due to an illegal conviction. So the Georgia Innocence Project set up a fundraiser to help Perry and his family. To make a contribution, click here. Donations are not tax deductible.
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