Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 19, 1993 TAG: 9304190127
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Prosecutors believe the genetic test shows Snyder, 26, could not be the rapist.
In a Feb. 23 letter to Wilder, Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney John Kloch requested that the governor grant Snyder executive clemency. "Had that evidence been presented at trial, he would have been acquitted," he said.
Kloch endorsed the findings in Snyder's case that a recent DNA test, which included a new analysis of semen samples taken from the victim after her rape in 1985, showed another man was responsible.
After seven years, however, Snyder remains behind bars at the Nottoway Correctional Center. His lawyer, Peter Neufeld of New York, is frustrated by the continuing delay.
"We're talking about proof that you've got the wrong man in prison," Neufeld said last week. "We have a case here where the government is saying he's innocent and after two months he's still sitting in jail."
But Wilder has not been convinced of Snyder's innocence.
"In the absence of that DNA, the evidence would have been pretty damning as it relates to this gentleman," he said.
Wilder said he has asked for an independent analysis of the DNA test. He said has nearly completed his investigation, but would not give an exact date.
"I'm reviewing the evidence again so that I can live with whatever decision I make, and that the people of Virginia would recognize that it's precedent-setting when I do these kinds of things," Wilder said.
by CNB