share.triangle.com - Dwayne Dail: Life unbarred - Comments

Speech in Washington D.C.

Todd — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:54:36 -0400

Dwayne,

I saw you speak in Washington D.C. last week and must say it was one of the most powerful stories I have ever heard. You have a lot to offer the world, and I have no doubt that you will move mountains from here on out. You deserve all that is good in the world!

Sincerely,

Todd

I just can't imagine

Ross — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:58:39 -0400

Mr. Dail,

I can't imagine what it was like for you in there knowing you are innocent and being labled a child rapist. I have kept up with your story since I first read about it in the Charlotte newspaper and I must say you are a survivor. A true hero in your own right. God Bless You and take care and enjoy the time you spend with your son in Florida.

Take care.

Sincerely,

Ross

Dwayne Dail

Carla — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:41:07 -0500

Dwayne you are truly my inspiration and a great friend. With everything you are going through you made time to give me the best Christmas present a girl could get. A phone call and then you and Chris taking time to have lunch with me and my daughter. You will never know how much that meant. I only wish great things for you in life. We have know each other since 7th grade and if these people knew the Dwayne I knew they would understand how you are handling life after it handed you a raw deal. Dwayne was a wonderful loving young man that grew into a loving wonderful man. We knew you had nothing to do with this crime then. Now the world knows. If we can learn anything from this, it's never give up in anything we believe in, always be true to yourself and with a strong loving family behind you, there is nothing you can't overcome. As for Diane, We could all only wish for such a sister. I am proud to say she is my friend. After our lunch and afternoon together I know that you and Chris will now have the lives that you always dreamed of. You will always be special to me. Lots of love and prayers being sent your way. Carla

To Dwayne Dail

Kathy McGhee — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:14:24 -0500

After reading and listening to your story, I am at a loss for words. Your tremendous strength and spirit is a true inspiration to me. You have been through an unimaginable hell, yet you are so focused and optimistic about life. So much has been lost, but you are aiming for the future, with your family right beside you. I admire your courage and postive energy. You make strangers, like me, want to cherish every moment in life and take each day as a blessing. I thank God that someone out there listened to you! I wish you the absolute best with your endeavors in forensic science! Thank you for proving that there are genuinely humble and gracious people still left in the world. I'm sure you have heard this a million times, but you are truly an inspiration!

N&O focused on half the story...

Wayne Uber — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:38:48 -0500

Dwayne,

Your story deserves notice and it’s getting attention (to the exclusion of other important cases or information?). For instance, the number of unsolved violent crimes and situations where violent criminals are actually released to society escapes mention at the N&O.

For instance, when was the last time the N&O reminded readers how many 1st and 2nd degree murderers are on probation or parole after serving time in North Carolina prisons? Did you know that there are more murderers on probation or parole in our state than there are on death row? Has the media said anything recently about the 7 murderers who’ve escaped our prison system and have not been seen or captured for years?

I think that we can both agree that the judicial system is slow (and imperfect). We can agree that many cases are delayed longer than is necessary and that these delays have an impact on the perceived accuracy and effectiveness of law enforcement. There are recent cases that prosecutors dropped because evidence and witnesses perished (the years took their toll, evidence deteriorated, witnesses died).

My observations has been that N&O reporters and columnists avoid considering the notion that reward monies are offered in some cases because witnesses might be threatened or suffer real losses when they come forward. At times they seem side with advocates of those accused, if only because prosecutors and families of victims have more to lose if they say anything outside the courtroom. N&O columnists often seem to side with or think like defense lawyers and advocate for persons who are accused.

I’ve reminded N&O staff on occasion (numerous times) that many of the offenders they write about demonstrate consistent and repetitively dangerous behaviors even when they are placed behind bars. Much of this information is available to the public but their policy has been not to include it in their articles or give “prison infraction histories” serious consideration in their columns.

I understand (first hand) what victims of crime go through and can tell you they don’t want innocent persons sent to prison because that means that a guilty person probably doesn’t serve time for their crimes. What I don’t understand is why the N&O chooses to use their forum in a manner that’s more likely to trigger public appraisals of good persons who happen to work for the state or law enforcement. They do more to inflame (or sensationalize) situations than to help sometimes… you have to admit that when they do this it sells more papers.

Personally, I don’t lose sleep at night wondering if there’s going to be another “Dwayne Dail case” tomorrow. Trial courts demand DNA evidence in rape cases like these and the testing can be done during the discovery phase. If a case occurred under identical circumstances today I doubt that charges would even be filed.

This doesn’t diminish the seriousness of what happened in your case one bit. State laws already require that evidence be made available for independent testing. The courts seem to have been slow to listen to (or require testing of) new evidence, evidence that implicated other persons and proved innocence of a person who was wrongfully being incarcerated.

http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_15a/gs_15a-269.html

One day we will meet. I look forward to it. We have much to discuss. Enjoy the holidays.

Mr. Uber, I could not agree

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:26:05 -0500

Mr. Uber, I could not agree with you more that my case is an exception to the rule. I am by no means a bleeding heart who believes that all prison fences should be taken down. Thank GOD for prisons! There are innocent people in prison, and that...to me...is unacceptable in our society, as well as, unnecessary. I respectfully must disagree with you that the N&O seem to be focused on only half the story, though. This story is a story of injustice and wrongful incarceration, not of the court system or justice system as a whole. I, too, would love to see the complete story on those subjects. There are many great lawyers, judges, and district attorneys. Many great organizations, such as, the Innocence Projects and The NC Center on Actual Innocence. Unfortunately, One Mike Nifong can make an army of honest and dedicated DA's look bad, just as one rotten lawyer can make all lawyers seem rotten. Corrections need to be made in the way that the courts and the courts of appeals handle cases so that cases such as mine do not happen again...and so that real criminals are put and kept behind bars. Happy Holidays & God bless you! Dwayne A. Dail

Thank you, Tony. I do read

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:12:11 -0500

Thank you, Tony. I do read these comments every day and always want to respond to all. People such as yourself strengthen my faith in mankind and encourage me to be the best that I can be. I hope that you and your family have the most wonderful holidays ever and keep in mind that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure the road that I have to travel will not be easy. There is no compensation for what has been done to me and my family. But I have no doubt that we will make it just fine. We are together now, and that is all that we have ever wanted. My son is with me now...we are in NJ visiting my sister, Barbara,...visiting all of the sights in Philadelphia. To see the actual sights of all of the great men who fought and died to begin this great nation is very solemn to me. Thank you, again, and God bless you! Dwayne A. Dail

Thank you so much and God

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:58:13 -0500

Thank you so much and God bless you. I have an amazing family who for the many days, weeks, and months when I thought I could not make it any longer gave me the love and strength and courage to hold on for one more day. My sister sacrificed her life, and it is part of my goal to make sure that her life has not been...and will not be!...wasted. I have no time to waste on bitterness and anger. I have a lot to give back. All of the support that I receive from people motivates me to continue to do well, broaden my horizens, and to make a difference in this world. I am a dreamer...but I am also a believer in the fact that if the mind can conceive, the man can achieve. I am determined to do great things with my life. And...ha! ha!...when I get determined, there's not much that will keep me from trying. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Dwayne A. Dail

Thank you so much. How could

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:37:28 -0500

Thank you so much. How could I not do well and overcome when I have had such an outpouring of love and encouragement from so many people who do not know me? I am a very blessed man. I have the most amazing family who have never given up on me, loved me throughout, and carried me on the many days, weeks, and months when I did not believe that I could make it. My sister is one-of-a-kind, and I love her beyond words or measure. She has sacrificed her life for me, and now it is part of my goal to make sure that her life is no more wasted than mine. I will succeed, and I have a lot of people to thank for that...including all of the people who have shown me so much love and support. Thank you so much, and God bless you!

I wish that I had the time

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:24:52 -0500

I wish that I had the time to thank each and every person who has shown me so much support and given me so much encouragement, because I am truly grateful. Thank you for your well wishes, and I thank you and your family also. I thank your husband for defending our great nation and putting his life on the line to protect our freedom and our ways of life. I thank all of the troops! God bless you all.

Dwayne A. Dail

mr.dale, may god bless

anthony harris — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:31:41 -0500

i could not even began to understand the troubles you have endured over the past 20 years or so, however i really think you are dealing with all the aftermath as best as you can. of all the lawyers and the courts , this had to happen, why did'nt anyone take the time to do more digging before they just wrecked your life, this is a total waste of your freedom. i have been keeping up on you in the media and once i read that due to you being in prison you endured rape and eventually told your son that you are gay, well how about the state compensate you for those years that you and your saxual identity have been destroyed see all the money in the world can not bring your life back to the days before the world fell upon you but anyway you are free without any doubt and now may you enjoy it to the fillest i also would like to say , stand strong, look life in the face and which ever road you take may it be paved in happiness may god bless happy holidays.......tony

Good record.... maybe...

Wayne Uber — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 16:47:14 -0500

Consider the total number of arrests per year and persons sent to prison... then consider those offenders who are wrongfully released (escapees and guilty persons that get off on technicalities etc).

http://sbi2.jus.state.nc.us/crp/public/2006/2006.htm

http://webapps6.doc.state.nc.us/apps/offender/escList

My point here is that the N&O seems focused on half the story. Dail is certainly exceptional but there's a lot missing in the "news".

Dwayne Dail

David Britt — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:32:49 -0500

I am amazed that Dwayne is not bitter and lost...I would think that the love of his family is what brought him out of prison and is what keeps him from being angry and mad at the world. This is an example for us all to follow in his family....It is easy to love someone when they are on top of the world and winning...but how do we love them when the world is fallen on them...Dwayne's sister is our example of unconditional love. The truth, love and charity of those young lawers set this man free!!! AMEN!!!

Dwayne Dail

Visitor — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:10:22 -0500

I live in Germany with my husband, a US Army soldier. I have been amazed at Dwayne Dail's lack of bitterness, his zest for life, his enthusiasm, love of family and his faith. He is a special person and deserves any good thing that happens in his life. Best of wishes to him, his son and his family and friends. He has heightened my awareness of how good people can be and how bad things happen to good people. I hope he finds all he is looking for and never loses his joie de vivre. Merry Christmas to the Dails.

Thank you so much, sir. Your

Dwayne A. Dail — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:34:20 -0500

Thank you so much, sir. Your kind words brought tears to my eyes.

Dwayne A. Dail

Dwayne Dail: Life unbarred

mwilliam — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 21:22:49 -0500

Dwayne Dail spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. This year DNA evidence proved that another man committed the crime. Now, reunited with his family, Dail looks to move forward. Share your thoughts on his story. See the multimedia report here.

Dwayne Dail spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. This year DNA evidence proved that another man committed the crime. Now,…