A Plea of Innocence Unfulfilled for 27 Years

HOUSTON - Three men sexually assaulted a woman and then threw her out of a car by the side of the road.

Michael Anthony Green has spent 27 years in prison for his part in the aggravated sexual assault.

Only today do investigators realize that Green's apparent complicity lacked authenticity.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced that after DNA testing and an extensive investigation, Green was in fact, innocent.

Green, who was 18 years old at the time of his conviction, is believed to have served the longest time behind bars of any Texas inmate before potential exoneration, according to a statement from the DA's office.

He exhausted his appeals but continued to maintain his innocence.

Now, 44, he is expected to be freed this Thursday on bond.

It will be up to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals to overturn the original conviction and the 75-year prison sentence.

It was back in April 18, 1983 when four men abducted a woman from a pay phone in the Greenspoint area.

A fourth suspect refused to take part in the assault that would take place next, investigators said.

Houston Police later identified a stolen vehicle matching the description of the one used in the crime and gave chase.

The four occupants abandoned the vehicle which triggered an HPD manhunt in north Houston.

Green was detained when he was spotted walking in the area.

The victim identified Green in a photo array as one of 3 men who kidnapped and sexually assaulted her.

The victim was unable to identify Green in person when he was initially detained, according to the DA's statement.

The DA's investigative team was able to exonerate Green after testing the only remaining piece of evidence related to the case - a piece of clothing worn by the victim at the time of the offense.

The clothing not only exonerated Green, but identified all four suspects involved in the crime, but they can never be prosecuted because the statute of limitations has run out.

This is the second time this week where an inmate has been released after the DA's Post Conviction Review Section has developed evidence of a wrongful conviction.