Northwestern Law

Center on Wrongful Convictions
The Florida Exonerated: Bradley P. Scott

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

Northwestern University School of Law, 357 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611