New DNA Evidence Likely Means Mentally Ill Michigan Man Behind Bars Since 1996 Not Involved in Rape/Murder He Confessed to

Innocence clinic pushing to have him released

A law clinic established to seek freedom for convicts it believes are innocent says new DNA evidence tying another man to the 1996 rape-slaying of a northern Michigan woman discredits the confession of a mentally ill man now serving life in prison without parole.

Statements by Jamie Peterson were used to obtain his 1998 conviction on first-degree murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in the death of Geraldine Montgomery, 68, in her Kalkaska home. He received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.