Policy

Florida Grants New Trial to Man Two Hours from Execution

Has been on death row for nearly three decades

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a man that's been on death row for 28 years and was once two hours away from being executed.

The ruling Thursday was based on a retesting of evidence that shows there's no proof that seminal fluid was found on the victim.

Roy Swafford was sentenced to death in 1985 for the 1982 murder of Brenda Rucker. He was also convicted of kidnapping and raping the gas station attendant.