Man Wrongly Convicted Of Murder To Be Released After 34 Years In Jail

INDIANA (KDKA)- An Indiana County man is expected to be released from prison today after spending 34 years behind bars. Lewis Fogle, was convicted of murder in 1982.

Today, his conviction was vacated based on new DNA testing of evidence.

Fogle's family was brought to tears when they learned he would be released from prison after 34 years. Attorneys from the Innocence Project took on his case to have his conviction vacated.

"He's my husband and I love him," said a tearful Deb Fogle, Lewis Fogle's wife, explaining why and how she spent 34 years without her husband.

"It's been a long, long process," she added as her family stood around her on the steps of the Indiana County Courthouse Thursday morning.

Lewis Fogle was convicted in 1982 for the 1976 murder of a 15-year-old girl. New DNA testing of recently discovered crime scene evidence, excluded Fogle and pointed to an unidentified man.

"The fact that his DNA did not show up in the test simply says that we may not have the sufficient evidence to prosecute on a felony murder," Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty said. "The evidence existed, the technology didn't really exist back in the early 80's to the degree and to the specificity and sophistication that it does now."

Innocence Project attorneys took on Fogle's case, and worked with the Indiana County District Attorney to have him released from prison.

"It's a wonderful day for Mr. Fogle, it's a wonderful day for his family. He's waited literally 34 years to prove his innocence. It was always a weird case, trial, very thin case," Innocence Project Managing Attorney David Loftis said.

Fogle's wife said the two had been married only three months before he was convicted of murder. She said she always believed his innocence would be proven.

"We were always hopeful," she said. "Always hopeful."

The Indiana County District Attorney's office will have 30 days to decide if they want to re-try Fogle.

During that time he has to remain in Pennsylvania and have no contact with the victim's family and check in with the probation office every other week.

Fogle will be released from prison on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

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