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DNA frees man convicted in Ft. Collins murder

P. Solomon Banda
Associated Press
Vail, CO Colorado
Linda McConnell, AP/Rocky Mountain NewsTimothy Masters is escorted by sheriff's Deputy Mark Walker, right, and Detective Richard Spear at the Larimer County Detention Center in Fort Collins, Colo., Monday.
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FORT COLLINS, Colorado ” A judge on Tuesday ordered the release of a man convicted of murder after DNA evidence pointed to another suspect.

Timothy Masters had been sentenced to life in prison in 1999, but new tests announced last week showed DNA found on the victim’s clothing was not from Masters but from someone else.

The judge overturned the conviction on Tuesday and set aside Masters’ life prison sentence.



Masters, 35, was ordered released on a personal recognizance bond. Prosecutors promised to decide quickly whether to try him again, but a legal analyst has said that’s unlikely, given the DNA evidence.

Applause broke out in the courtroom as the hearing ended.

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Masters, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and yellow tie, showed little emotion but hugged members of his defense team.


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