In 2004, the step-son of 30-year-old Jason Girts said Girts had sexually abused him in 1996 in Bullitt County, Kentucky.
Girts was convicted in 2006, based solely on the accuser's testimony. There was no physical evidence or other corroboration that the abuse occurred. Girts was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Not long after the conviction, Girts' step-son recanted the claim of sexual abuse. He said he had concocted the allegations because he did not like Girts and wanted Girts out of his and his mother's life. He took and passed a polygraph examination, indicating that his recantation was truthful.
In 2008, a hearing was held in Bullitt County Circuit Court and the youth repeated his recantation.
At the conclusion of the hearing, at the request of the Bullitt County Attorney's office, Girts' conviction was vacated and the charges were dismissed. On April 29, 2008, Girts was released from prison.
- Maurice Possley
Posting Date: 12-31-2012
Case Details:
State:
Kentucky
County:
Bullitt
Most Serious Crime:
Child Sex Abuse
Reported Crime Date:
1995
Convicted:
2006
Exonerated:
2008
Sentence:
Term of Years
Race / Ethnicity:
White
Sex:
Male
Age at the date of reported crime:
22
Contributing Factors:
Perjury or False Accusation
Did DNA evidence contribute to the exoneration?:
No