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Bradley P. Scott was sentenced to death for the murder of a
12-year-old girl in Charlotte County in 1988 and exonerated in 1991
Bradley P. Scott was sentenced to death for
the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Charlotte County, Florida, 10 years
earlier. Police originally dismissed Scott as a suspect because he had a
strong alibi — placing him 50 miles away at the time of the crime. By the
time Scott was charged, however, the evidence that originally confirmed
his alibi had disappeared from police files. His conviction rested on the
testimony of two witnesses who belatedly identified him The police also
found two witnesses who testified — long after the crime — that they saw
Scott talking to the victim near the store where she had been abducted on
the day of the crime. On appeal, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously
reversed the conviction due to insufficient evidence and ordered the trial
court to enter an order of acquittal. Scott is Caucasian and so was the
victim.
Last Modified: January 21, 2003
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