In this case, the TrueAllele program that interprets DNA data cast enough doubt on original expert conclusions to prompt an attempt to match a profile in the CODIS database. To the good fortune of the man erroneously convicted of the murder, there was a hit in the CODIS search, and the person corresponding to that new profile reportedly confessed to the killing.
The original DNA testimony at trial was limited to the human expert for the state testifying that the evidence developed from a mixed sample "could not exclude" the defendant, who was convicted mainly on mistaken eye-witness identifications from multiple witnesses at the crime scene. Had the reinvestigation not progressed to the successful search in CODIS, the TrueAllele results alone might not have been sufficient to free the erroneously convicted inmate.
The article notes the ongoing issue with the insulation of source code for TrueAllele and similar programs, which interferes with forensic verification of the programs and their results. In this particular case, the stars aligned to bring the truth to light, exposing the error in the conviction.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/a-texas-jury-found-him-guilty-of-murder-a-computer-algorithm-proved-his-innocence/ar-BB103k7v
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