Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Raymond Towler

First Name Raymond
Last NameTowler
Year of Conviction1981
Year of Exoneration2010
State of ConvictionOhio
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeRape
Death SentenceNo
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeBlack
JuvenileNo
Mentally Ill or Intellectually DisabledIntellectually Disabled
Type of Innocence Defense
  • Alibi
Did the defendant testify at trial?Yes
Types of evidence at trial
  • Eyewitness
  • Forensic Evidence
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • Hair
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • Valid
Brief Quote / Description of Testimony

Hair examiner testified that hair did not have sufficient characteristics to be suitable for comparison

Identity of eyewitness
  • Victim
Multiple eyewitnesses4
Lineup Procedures
  • Photo array
Highest level reachedAppeal
Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction
  • Jackson Claim
  • Jury Selection
  • Prosecutorial Misconduct
  • State Law Evidence Claim
  • Suggestive Eyewitness Identification
Citations to judicial opinions

State v. Towler, 1982 WL 5969 (Ohio App. 8 Dist., October 21, 1982)