Who is Perry Lott? Oklahoma man says he 'never lost hope' as he is exonerated after 35 years for crime he didn't commit
PONTOTOC, OKLAHOMA: Perry Lott, an Oklahoma man, spent three decades in prison for a rape and burglary conviction that was based on a “suggestive police lineup” and no physical evidence.
DNA testing in 2014 proved his innocence, but he had to wait until 2023 to be officially exonerated, KOCO News reported.
When was Perry Lott convicted?
Lott was convicted in 1988 of raping and burglarizing a woman in 1987 in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma. He was sentenced to more than 200 years in prison, but he never gave up on proving his innocence.
The Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that works to free the wrongly convicted, said in a news release that Lott’s conviction was based on the victim identifying him in a lineup that was influenced by the police.
The victim later said that she was scared to pick the wrong man and nothing specific made her choose Lott.
2014 DNA testing proved Perry Lott was not a perpetrator
In 2014, post-conviction DNA testing from the victim’s rape kit showed that Lott was not the perpetrator.
Lott filed a motion to vacate his conviction, but the district attorney at the time opposed it, as per reports.
In 2018, Lott accepted a deal to modify his sentence and was released from prison.
However, Lott’s fight for justice was not over. In 2023, the Innocence Project approached the new district attorney, Erik Johnson, and asked him to review Lott’s case.
Johnson agreed that the DNA results were favorable to Lott and that his conviction should be vacated.
How did Perry Lott react after getting exonerated?
On Tuesday, a judge officially exonerated Lott of the 1987 crimes, clearing his name after 35 years.
“I have never lost hope that this day would come,” Lott said in the news release.
“I had faith that the truth would prevail — even after 35 long years. I am grateful to everyone who supported me and helped in my fight for freedom," he said.
"I can finally shut this door and move on with my life," Lott continued.
The Innocence Project praised Johnson for his commitment to righting this wrong and Lott for his persistence and resilience.
35-year-long pursuit of justice: Perry Lott showed persistence
“Mr Lott has shown nothing but persistence and resilience in his 35-year-long pursuit of justice,” Innocence Project Senior Staff Attorney Adnan Sultan said in the news release.
“He would not give up on proving his innocence. Five years ago, all evidence pointed to his innocence, but he was denied justice. We are grateful to District Attorney Erik Johnson for his commitment to righting this wrong," Sultan added.