Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Julius Ruffin

First Name Julius
Last NameRuffin
Year of Conviction1982
Year of Exoneration2003
Testing inculpated culpritCold Hit
State of ConvictionVirginia
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeRape
Death SentenceNo
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeBlack
JuvenileNo
Types of evidence at trial
  • Eyewitness
  • Forensic Evidence
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • Serology
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • No Transcript
Identity of eyewitness
  • Cross Racial Identification
  • Victim
Suggestive Procedures

No transcript

Highest level reachedFederalHabeas
Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction
  • Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
  • Jury Selection
Citations to judicial opinions

Ruffin v. Sielaff, 801 F.2d 394 (4th Cir. 1986)
Ruffin v. Murray, 479 U.S. 1020 (1986)