Man Wrongly Accused of Rape Cleared After Defense Exposes Major DNA Error by Indiana State Police Laboratory
A Crown Point man facing more than a decade in prison for rape was cleared after Stracci Law Group Partner Maryam Afshar-Stewart uncovered a critical error in DNA evidence from the Indiana State Police Laboratory. Sworn testimony from the lab analyst confirmed the report had misidentified the client as a contributor to the evidence — a mistake the lab's own quality-control process failed to catch. Once exposed, the State dismissed all charges.
Case Background
A man facing the possibility of spending over a decade in prison for rape has been cleared after Attorney Maryam Afshar-Stewart, a Partner at Stracci Law Group uncovered a critical error in DNA evidence produced by the Indiana State Police Laboratory. The case was built around what many consider the most reliable form of evidence in the criminal justice system, DNA. But that evidence turned out to be wrong. The laboratory's DNA report incorrectly identified Stracci Law Group's client as a contributor to evidence collected during the investigation. That mistake placed an innocent man at the center of one of the most serious criminal prosecutions imaginable. Only after the defense conducted an extensive investigation and questioned the laboratory analyst under oath did the truth emerge. During a sworn deposition, the analyst admitted the DNA report contained an error. Even more troubling, the testimony revealed that the laboratory's own quality-control process failed to catch the mistake before the report was sent to investigators and prosecutors. Once the error was exposed, the State dismissed all charges.
"This case is a powerful reminder that forensic evidence is only as reliable as the people and procedures behind it," said Attorney Maryam Afshar-Stewart. "Our client was accused of rape because a government laboratory identified the wrong person. Had we not challenged that report, an innocent man could have been convicted and in prison."
The Importance of the Use of DNA Testing
The consequences extended far beyond the courtroom. For years, the client lived under the weight of a rape accusation. His freedom, reputation, career, and future were all in jeopardy because of a scientific report that proved to be inaccurate. Many people believe DNA evidence is infallible. Television shows and courtroom dramas have helped create the impression that DNA never gets it wrong. The reality is different. DNA testing depends on human interpretation, proper procedures, and rigorous quality control. When those safeguards fail, the consequences can be devastating, not only for the person wrongly accused, but also for victims seeking justice and communities relying on the criminal justice system to identify the right offender.
"Our justice system depends on accurate science," Afshar-Stewart said. "Victims deserve investigations that identify the correct suspect. Defendants deserve evidence that has been thoroughly vetted. The public deserves confidence that forensic laboratories are getting it right." Stracci Law Group uncovered the error through a painstaking review of discovery, retention of a DNA expert, careful analysis of the forensic evidence, and sworn testimony from the analyst responsible for the report. The case underscores why defense attorneys must independently examine forensic evidence rather than simply accepting laboratory conclusions at face value. "This is exactly why a strong defense matters," Afshar-Stewart said. "The Constitution doesn't presume the State’s evidence is correct. It requires that evidence be tested. In this case, testing the evidence revealed the truth."
The Result
One erroneous laboratory report nearly changed the course of an innocent person's life. "This case should concern every member of the public," Afshar-Stewart said. "No one should lose their freedom because of an avoidable mistake. Scientific evidence carries enormous weight in our courts, and with that comes an equally enormous responsibility to ensure it is accurate."
About Stracci Law Group
Stracci Law Group is an Indiana law firm dedicated to defending individuals accused of criminal offenses, including sex crimes allegations, and protecting constitutional rights. The firm's attorneys are committed to challenging unreliable evidence, holding state agencies accountable, and ensuring every client receives a thorough, aggressive, and uncompromising defense.
If you or someone you know is facing a criminal charge built on forensic or DNA evidence, contact Stracci Law Group. Our attorneys have the experience to independently test that evidence and will fight to protect your rights at every stage of the case.