Wis. man freed after 23 years in prison

An undated handout photo released by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections shows inmate Robert Lee Stinson. Stinson, 44, sentenced to life in prison for a 1985 killing, had his conviction overturned Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, after 23 years …

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Updated: Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 2:44 PM CST
Published : Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 2:44 PM CST

A Milwaukee man sentenced to life in prison for a 1984 killing has walked out of prison a free man.

Forty-four-year-old Robert Lee Stinson had his conviction vacated Friday morning.

The Wisconsin Innocence Project used DNA evidence and bite-mark technology to argue that Stinson wasn't the killer.

Stinson walked out of prison in street clothes about 1 p.m. Friday. He walked straight to his sister, hugging her for about a minute as she cried.

Stinson smiled at people he knew, and also hugged members of the Innocence Project.

Milwaukee County prosecutors didn't object to Stinson's release but say they're considering whether to retry him. District Attorney John Chisholm says there's "newly discovered evidence" to warrant a new trial.