A Houston man serving a life sentence for a 2010 fatal stabbing was freed on bond Tuesday while authorities reinvestigate his case, including new DNA evidence that his lawyers say exonerates him.
Lydell Grant has been in prison for seven years for the killing of 28-year-old Aaron Scheerhoorn outside of a Houston club. Police say Scheerhoorn ran to the club after being stabbed and sought help. He was turned away and witnesses said they saw Grant stab him several more times before fleeing. Grant was convicted in 2012.
Grant’s attorneys say a new analysis of DNA found on the victim’s fingernails and clippings excludes Grant in the attack and points to another man as a suspect. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said there is “substantial new evidence that points toward a person of interest,” but authorities are “not there yet” in concluding that this new suspect was responsible for the killing.
Black-Owned Consulting Firm in Houston Celebrates 10 Years of Sparking Small Business Success
After a court hearing Tuesday morning in which he was granted a $100,000 bond, Grant was released from custody late Tuesday afternoon. He was enthusiastically greeted by his mother, younger brother and other family and friends.
Grant, 42, told reporters his release was “a long time coming” and he thanked his family, the Innocence Project of Texas and God. He said he looked forward to enjoying Thanksgiving with his family, including eating a “big turkey” and his favorite dessert, peach cobbler.
“I really believe that the justice system is going to do the right thing,” Grant said. “I want to believe the Harris County District Attorney’s Office will go ahead and exonerate me because the evidence and the investigation of the case, it proves itself.”
Source: Texas Inmate Freed While Innocence Claims Investigated
