Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

James Ochoa

First Name James
Last NameOchoa
Year of Conviction2005
Year of Exoneration2006
Testing inculpated culpritCold Hit
State of ConvictionCalifornia
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaGuilty Plea
Type of CrimeRobbery
Death SentenceNo
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeHispanic
JuvenileNo
Types of evidence at trial
  • DNA excluded
  • Eyewitness
  • Forensic Evidence
  • Other
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • DNA
  • Fingerprint
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • Excluded
  • Valid
Brief Quote / Description of Testimony

DNA and fingerprint excluded defendant at the time he pleaded guilty

Identity of eyewitness
  • Cross Racial Identification
  • Victim
Multiple eyewitnesses2
Lineup Procedures
  • Showup
Suggestive Procedures

Yes ● Show-up

Unreliable Identification?

Yes ● Initially uncertain

Quotes from testimony #2

When shown initial photo on computer, victim said it "looks like" the culprit, and that the suspect on screen had the wrong complexion.

Highest level reachedNR
Previous post
←  Alan Newton