Death Row Inmate Could Go Free

Death row inmate Paul House could leave a Nashville prison in the next six months if a federal judge’s ruling isn’t challenged.

District Judge Harry Mattice Jr. ordered (today/yesterday) that House be released unless the state begins a new trial against him in 180 days.

The U-S Supreme Court ruled last year that the original jury – if presented new DNA evidence from the crime scene – would not have convicted House. He’s accused in the 1985 murder of an East Tennessee woman who was his neighbor.

Prosecutors have 30 days to appeal the latest ruling. House’s attorney, Steven Kissinger.

“The evidence that is out there now, I think, is of such a nature that a prudent prosecutor would not bring this case. I mean, the evidence of Mr. House’s innocence is overwhelming.”

House has faced several execution dates during his 22-year stint in the prison system.