Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Marvin. Grimm, Jr.

First NameMarvin.
Last NameGrimm, Jr.
Year of Conviction1976
Year of Exoneration2024
State of ConvictionVirginia
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaGuilty Plea
Type of CrimeMurder
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeWhite
Types of evidence at trial
  • Confession
Were non-public facts alleged?Yes
Examples of Non-Public or Corroborated Facts and Inconsistencies

● Stated “forced sexual assault on him” with no other detail.

● Identified location with depression in mud, where body thrown into river.

BUT Police had already identified that spot when they took Grimm there. When asked to describe what he meant Grimm could not provide the details the Detective prompted him: “Did you make him place your privates in his mouth, is this how it happened?” While the statement described throwing victim’s body in river, extensive media had extensively discussed the location where the body was found. Tje account did not describe the alcohol or drugs later found in the victim’s system. And Det. showed him crime scene knife.

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