Anthony Caravello was convicted of rape and murder for a crime he allegedly committed in 1983 at age 15 in Florida. The prosecution sought the death penalty. Now DNA evidence from the crime scene points to another individual and may result in his exoneration. The state is not contesting his release. Caravello has an IQ of 67 and was convicted largely on the basis of his own statements, which he says were obtained from him after beatings during his interrogation. At his sentencing, the judge commented, “I’ll tell you this, Anthony: If the jury had recommended death, I would have had you electrocuted.” Instead, he was sentenced to life. The prosecution is still pursuing the investigation.
(B. Skoloff, “Defense: DNA clears man convicted of murder, rape,” Miami Herald (Associated Press), Sept. 9, 2009). See Innocence and Juveniles. More inmates have been exonerated from death row in Florida (23) than from any other state.
