Delayed justice: Exoneration for Benjamin Spencer, convicted of killing a man in 1987

Benjamin Spencer — convicted more than 35 years ago of murder — walked out of a Dallas County courtroom Thursday morning exonerated of the crime.

Spencer had been sentenced to 35 years in prison for killing Jeffrey Young, who was found lying unconscious with severe head injuries in the 3900 block of Puget Street in Dallas. He later died at Parkland Memorial Hospital. His gray BMW was found in an alley.

Gladys Oliver lived near where Young was found. According to a statement from the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, she initially said she hadn't seen anything. But after awards were announced, “Oliver claimed to have seen Spencer and his co-defendant, Nathan Robert Mitchell, get out of Young's car,” according to the statement.

Spencer got a new trial after “it was found that a witness provided false testimony regarding whether she expected to receive reward money for her role in the case,” according to the statement. But Spencer was convicted of aggravated robbery and sentenced to life in prison in the second trial.

After Spencer's attorneys presented new evidence, the DA's Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU began an investigation and concluded that Mr. Spencer was innocent. That investigation also found that prosecutors had previously withheld evidence.

“This day has been a long time coming. “I am relieved and humbled to help correct this injustice,” Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot said.

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