Media Coverage: Idaho Innocence Project, Stoel Rives’ Attorneys Secure Certificate of Innocence for Idaho Man Wrongly Convicted of Rape and Murder

Stoel Rives’ attorneys Wendy Olson, a former District of Idaho U.S. Attorney, and Andrea Carone assisted the Idaho Innocence Project at Boise State University in securing a certificate of innocence for Charles Fain, who spent 18 years on Idaho’s death row after his wrongful conviction in the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in 1982.

Though Fain was released in 2001 based on new DNA testing that excluded him as a suspect, it wasn’t until 2019 that further DNA testing pointed to a new suspect who was apprehended and has been charged with the murder.

As well as officially being declared innocent, Fain is entitled by Idaho law to financial compensation for the wrongful conviction.

The ruling has received extensive coverage in the Idaho media, including the following articles that have been shared in several publications:

“Man who spent 18 years on death row declared innocent, will receive compensation,” published by the Idaho Press, June 8, 2020.

“Innocence made official for Idaho man wrongfully convicted of 1982 murder in Nampa,” published by the Idaho Statesman, June 8, 2021.

“Man wrongly on death row 18 years exonerated,” published by the Kootenai Valley Times, June 8, 2021.

“Charles Fain, on death row for 18 years, declared innocent, awarded compensation,” published by the Argus Observer, June 8, 2021.

“Idaho held an innocent man on death row for 18 years. Now it’s paying for that.” published by the Idaho Capital Sun, June 14, 2021​.

“‘It’s a real freedom to forgive.’ Exonerated Idaho death-row inmate finally compensated,” published by the Idaho Statesman, June 18, 2021.