Man proven innocent in abduction, rape, murder of toddler decades ago
Man exonerated in abduction, sexual assault, homicide of young child nearly half a century ago.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – In a groundbreaking turn of events, Marvin Grimm, a Richmond, Virginia man, has been exonerated after being wrongfully convicted of abduction, rape, and murder nearly fifty years ago. Grimm was originally convicted in 1976 for the abduction, first-degree murder, and rape of a 3-year-old child who was tragically found dead in the James River in 1975. After serving 44 years in prison, Grimm was released on parole in 2019. However, his innocence was only proven recently through modern forensics.
The Office of the Attorney General of Virginia released a statement confirming that Grimm was issued a writ of actual innocence on Tuesday, June 18. This exoneration was based on new DNA and toxicology evidence presented by Grimm, which ultimately cleared his name.
The court order detailing the case sheds light on the events of 1975, Grimm’s arrest and conviction, and the revelations that have come to light in recent years. The child, referred to as “C.H” in all references, disappeared near his family’s apartment on November 22, 1975, and was found dead in the James River four days later.
Grimm, a neighbor of the family, was identified as a suspect due to reported tension between him and C.H.’s family. After a long interrogation, Grimm confessed to the abduction, murder, and sexual assault of the child. Despite forensic evidence including hairs found in his coat and car, as well as swabs from the child’s throat and mouth, new DNA analysis has revealed that none of the evidence matched Grimm.
Modern forensics uncovered crucial discrepancies in the evidence used to convict Grimm. DNA analysis conducted in 2011 and 2023 revealed that the hairs found in Grimm’s possession did not belong to C.H. Additionally, testing showed that there was no seminal fluid on the towel or in the child’s mouth, contradicting Grimm’s confession of sexual assault.
Grimm’s petition also highlighted the issue of false confessions and coercion by law enforcement. The court ultimately ruled in his favor, stating that the confession alone would not have been enough to convict him given the lack of incriminating physical evidence.
With the exoneration of Marvin Grimm, justice has been served after nearly five decades of wrongful imprisonment. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of modern forensic techniques in ensuring a fair and just legal system.
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– Man proven innocent abduction rape murder
– Man proven innocent abduction rape murder 3-year-old.
