Earl Washington, Jr., currently living in Virginia Beach, spent almost 20 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. He was pardoned in 2000 by then-governor Jim Gilmore after DNA testing showed that another man committed the crime. Now that the other man, Maurice Tinsley, has been indicted, Washington plans to petition governor Tim Kaine for a finding of innocent.
I was a bit surprised at the comments by Kevin Hall, the governor’s spokesman:
“Advocates for Mr. Washington are certainly welcome to renew any request they may have filed with a previous administration,” Kaine spokesman Kevin Hall said.
“We also would point out that the indictment of a suspect, while an important step, is not a final determination of guilt,” he added.
Um, what does that have to do with it? Whether or not Tinsley is found guilty doesn’t change the fact that Washington didn’t do it. Washington came within nine days of being executed. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be that close to being put to death for a crime you did not commit.
I hope the governor acts quickly on his request.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I saw this in today’s Post, too, and thought it was an interesting situation. The case shows that a significant amount of the time the truth comes out about who committed a serious crime. Since Washington did spend 17 years in prison, however, it definitely makes you wonder about the rare cases in which an innocent person is put to death or faces some form of other harsh punishment. Especially in regards to the death penalty, the punishment is final and cannot be reversed.
Luckily in this situation, Washington was cleared. I agree with you that Gov. Kaine should declare Washington to be innocent. The man lost 17 years of his life, the very least the Government can do is admit that he is innocent.
THIS IS A TOUCHING SITUATION
LOVE, DEE