Judge Overturns Murder Conviction

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - New DNA evidence has wiped out a
murder conviction for a Colorado man.
After hugging members of his defense team, Timothy Masters
walked out of court a free man for the first time in nearly a
decade. Prosecutors say they will quickly decide whether to try him
again.
Masters was just 15 when the manager at a woman's clothing store
was found stabbed and sexually mutilated. He lived near the field
where her body was discovered. Masters was sentenced to life in
prison in 1999 for the woman's murder.
During recent appeals, both the defense and special prosecutors
assigned to the case said crucial information was withheld from
Masters' trial lawyers.
New tests announced last week showed DNA found on the victim's
clothing was not from Masters.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)