An Amazing Story Of Forgiveness
As told on CBS 60 Minutes

 In 1984, Jennifer Thompson was a 22 year old college student that lived alone in an off campus apartment in Burlington, NC.  One night as she slept, an assailant broke into her apartment.  When she awoke, at knife point he viscously raped her.  The police investigation identified Ronald Cotton as a person of interest.  In a lineup, and again at trial, Jennifer positively identified Ron as the person that raped her.  Ron claimed he was innocent.   Ron was convicted and sentenced to life in prison + 50 year. 

A few years later, Bobby Poole was incarcerated in the same prison as Ron for a rape that happened in the same town as the Jennifer Thompson rape.  A few months later, another inmate told Ron that Bobby Poole had told him that he had raped Jennifer.  With this information, Ron got a new trial.  At the new trial both Ron Cotton and Bobby Poole were there.  Jennifer once again positively identified Ron Cotton as the person that had raped her.  Ron was sentenced to two life sentences.

While in prison, Ron became aware of new testing called DNA.  At Ron’s request, his attorney had DNA testing conducted on evidence that had been retained for 11 years.  The results of the DNA tests proved that Booby Poole was the rapist and that Ron Cotton was innocent.   Ron was released from prison. 

Jennifer was devastated that she had been mistaken by identifying Ron as the rapist.  She was depressed and had overwhelming feelings of guilt that her mistake had taken 11 years from Ron’s live as he languished in prison. 

After some time, Jennifer gained the strength to meet Ron and apologize for her mistake.  They met in a church.  Watch the video below to see what Jennifer said to Ron and Ron's reaction.

Jennifer and Ron have co-authored a book titled Picking Cotton. You can purchase it at www.amazon.com.