Judge Overturns Rhode Island Man's 1992 Murder Conviction

A Rhode Island judge has vacated the murder conviction of a man who has spent 23 years in prison for a 1982 killing.

Sixty-two-year-old Raymond Tempest was convicted of second-degree murder in 1992. He has maintained his innocence in the killing of Doreen Picard and appealed for new DNA testing.

Judge Daniel Procaccini ruled Monday after a lengthy hearing on Tempest's case held earlier this year. The judge didn't release Tempest, but set an Aug. 4 bail hearing.

Tempest's lawyers argued that new DNA evidence, including hair and blood droplets at the scene, showed someone else killed 22-year-old Picard in Woonsocket.

Tempest testified in March he was drinking and trying to buy cocaine at the time of the killing, and didn't disclose his alibi because he didn't want to embarrass close relatives who were law enforcement officers.