On July 3, 1987, a woman was raped near a footbridge in southeast Washington, D.C. On August 5, 1987, another attack occurred in the same area. The second victim managed to escape and called the police.
After the second attack, police detained 19-year-old Edward Green because he was in the area and resembled the description given by the second victim. The police brought him to be viewed in a show-up lineup by the second victim. The victim identified Green, and he was arrested.
Soon after, the first victim identified Green in a photographic lineup and then in a live lineup. On August 12, 1987, Green was charged with rape and kidnapping in the July 3 attack and assault with intent to rape in August 5 attack.
In June 1989, Green went to trial in the District of Columbia Superior Court. The prosecution’s case hinged upon the testimony of the two victims, both of whom positively identified Green in court.
The prosecution presented evidence that Green’s blood type had been found in the rape kit taken from the first victim.
On June 20, 1989, after three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Green of rape and kidnapping for the first incident and acquitted him on the charge of assault with intent to rape for the second incident.
Prior to sentencing, the defense requested that DNA testing be conducted on the rape victim’s clothes. Over the objection of the prosecution, District Judge Gladys Kessler postponed sentencing and ordered the testing to be performed.
In February of 1990, Cellmark Diagnostics, a private laboratory, issued a report excluding Green as the source of the semen found on the victim’s clothes.
On March 19, 1990, Judge Kessler granted a defense motion for a new trial. The prosecution then dismissed the case and Green was released.
– Maurice Possley
Posting Date: 08-29-2011
Last Update Date: 02-10-2026
