STAFFORD Cleo Webb is counting his blessings, and thanking the powers of science.

The 25-year-old fruit basket maker from Thompson Pen in Spanish Town, St Catherine was released from prison in April after serving almost four years behind bars for a crime that DNA evidence now proves he did not commit.

Webb’s troubles started on May 14, 2002 just two weeks short of his 21st birthday, when, on the complaint of an 11-year-old girl, he was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and rape.

He consistently maintained his innocence, and after being in custody at the New Horizon Remand Centre in Kingston for three-and-a-half years as a rape suspect, he was freed after DNA evidence proved that he was wrongfully arrested.

The presiding judge then dismissed the case. The DNA test, using the 16 Marker Y-STR protocol, was done through Webb’s lawyer, W Earl Witter, and with the support of Public Defender, Howard Hamilton.

It was alleged that on the night of April 3, 2002, Webb entered the room of the complainant with a handgun, dragged her from her home, across a riverbed and raped her.

The child was taken to the Spanish Town Police Station and then accompanied by the police the next day to the Spanish Town Hospital where she was examined and treated, and vaginal swabs collected as evidence.

The prosecution said Webb gave a sample of his blood when he was apprehended and taken to the Bog Walk Police Station.

Then, on May 25, 2002, Webb was put in an identification parade at the Constant Spring Police Station in St Andrew where he was picked out by the complainant as her attacker.

But Webb insists that he never saw the girl before in his life. As a matter of fact, he told the Observer, on the night of the alleged rape he was with his girlfriend.

“Me did deh home that night with my girlfriend, Andrea. Usually at night time me deh home,” Webb said. “Me feel real bad to know that as a ghetto yute, this happen to me.”

Life in prison was extremely difficult for Webb.

He said that he was beaten on occasions by police officers and wardens at the New Horizon Prison and had to receive medical treatment once.

“The treatment was very bad. Most times I was hot, tormented and upset. If my mother and friends didn’t come look for me, me would be mad by now,” Webb said.

But despite the anger and bitterness that he sometimes feels, Webb is grateful for his freedom.

“Me glad man. Me happy to see my family and friends because it was them who stood by me through all the suffering.”

He is most excited though about getting the opportunity to help raise his five-year-old son, Raheem.

Webb’s mother, Sonia Capleton, was close to tears when she spoke with the Sunday Observer.

“I can’t even talk because of how glad I am that him come home. We did miss him,” she said. “The whole community rejoice when him reach. Everybody from the pastors to the young and old people want to hug him up. Everybody love him.”

Capleton insists that she will be seeking legal compensation for her son.

“I plan to sue the government and those who were responsible for it because we go through a lot,” she said. “All my savings use up and I had to sell furniture, stove and other things to pay the lawyer. It was me alone and we are poor people. The government should take responsibility,” she said.

In the meantime, Webb says his outlook on life has changed tremendously and his future plans reflect that change.

“Prison change my view on life. I am not the same person like three years ago,” he commented.

“Jamaica change a lot too. The country look so different now.” Webb now dreams of living and working abroad, getting married and taking care of his family.

In the meantime, he plans to visit the country with his friends, catch up on old times, and give thanks for life.

– reidt@jmaicaobserver.com