Wrongly Convicted Database Record

 

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Michael J. Collins

 

Charge:

Attempted Rape and Burglary

Sentence:

10 years imprisonment and reduction in rank

Years Imprisoned:

2

Year Crime:

Year Convicted:

1954

Year Cleared:

1956

U.S. State or Country of Crime:

U.S. Military - Federal Case

County or Region of Crime:

City of Crime:

Result:

Judicially Exonerated Released

Summary of Case:

"Michael J. Collins was wrongly convicted in June 1954 by a court-martial of attempted rape and burglary. Collins was a decorated veteran in the Marine Corps during WWII and the Air Force during the Korean War, who was appointed the rank of second lieutenant in the Army Reserve in 1953. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and a reduction in rank. After he had been imprisoned for 18 months his convictions were overturned and the charges were dismissed in January 1956 when it was discovered his convictions were based on fraudulent evidence. On May 3, 1960 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pay $25,000 to Collins as compensation for his expenses incurred in establishing his innocence and for injustices that resulted from his wrongful conviction."

Conviction Caused By:

Fraudulent evidence was relied on to secure Michael J. Collins' convictions.

Innocence Proved By:

Collins' convictions were overturned and the charges were dismissed in January 1956 when it was discovered his convictions were based on fraudulent evidence.

Defendant Aided By:

Compensation Awarded:

"$25,000 (Federal govt., May 1960)"

Was Perpetrator Identified?

Age When Imprisoned:

Age When Released:

Sex:

Male

Skin/Ethnicity:

White

Information Source 1:

"The Innocents, Edward Radin,William Morrow & Co., 1964, p. 253."

Information Location 1:

Information Source 2:

"Veteran Voted $25,000, Associated Press story, The New York Times, May 4, 1960, pg. 10"

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Innocents Database Created and Maintained by Hans Sherrer innocents@forejustice.org

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