Man wrongfully convicted of 1987 Dallas murders set free

A man found guilty of two East Dallas murders in 1987 was set free on Monday after evidence used in the case was officially thrown out.

“I'm overwhelmed by the things that are happening to me. Twenty eight years ago I was put in prison for something I didn't do and today the process of making that right has begun,” said Steven Chaney as he walked out of a Dallas courtroom.

A Dallas judge formally threw out Chaney’s conviction on Monday and said the “bite mark” testimony given during his 1989 trial should not have been allowed.

Chaney was accused of killing an East Dallas couple, John and Sally Sweek. A bite mark on one victim's arm was the evidence that put him away.  

The state said on Monday the two dental experts it called to testify used language and research that does not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

"It would've been inappropriate if it were being tried today for either of the doctors to use terms like "match," or "biter" as it relates to Mr. Chaney,” said Patricia Cummings of the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

The state said another phrase was heard by the jury in 1989 that it shouldn’t have -- that there was a "one in a million" chance the biter was not Chaney.

Chaney was surrounded by others released after wrongful convictions and his wife on Monday after the court appearance.

Chaney, who is now a minister, hopes to help prison inmates cope with being locked up.