Five pardoned in 1985 Beatrice murder

When they were convicted they were young adults, as they’re pardoned, the five are all middle aged and many with grey hair. A reexamination of DNA evidence showed that they were wrongly convicted of a 1985 Beatrice murder. Following his pardon, Thomas Winslow indicated to reporters that he just wants to get on with his life. James Dean told reporters after being pardoned that he was overwhelmed.
It’s the first time in Nebraska history that DNA evidence led to inmates being freed from prison. Three of the six people convicted in the rape and slaying of a 68-year-old Beatrice woman spent nearly 20 years in prison. One didn’t seek a pardon because his conviction was overturned.