Cleveland man freed after new trial plans day of thanksgiving, prayer

CLEVELAND - A Cleveland man freed after an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation won him a new trial is looking toward a day of thanksgiving and prayer.

Darrell Houston, 42, spent Friday inviting family and friends to a local Cleveland church, where he has worshipped since being released from prison in 2007.

Houston was free on bond awaiting a new trial that ended Thursday when Cuyahoga County prosecutors asked Judge Nancy Margaret Russo to drop all charges.

An eyewitness earlier had told the jury that Houston was not the man he saw the night a Cleveland convenience store clerk was shot and killed in September 1991.

An exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation first began in late 2002 when Houston contacted Chief Investigator Ron Regan. After reviewing police reports, trial testimony and tracking down the only eyewitness, the first investigative report aired in May, 2003.

In July 2003, a motion was filed for a new trial.

In January 2004, James Pope, the only eyewitness in the case, testified a hearing before Judge Nancy Fuerst. Even though Pope testified that Houston was not the killer, Judge Fuerst asked for more new evidence.

In October 2007, another hearing was held before Judge Fuerst where a photo of the suspected real killer was introduced.

Judge Fuerst ordered a new trial and Houston was released from prison in November 2007 on bond.

Prosecutors appealed the ruling and in January 2009, an Ohio Court of Appeals upheld the order for a new trial.

Finally, on Thursday, almost 19 years after Houston was arrested, his trial ended with all charges dismissed.

Houston, meanwhile, said he believes God has a plan for his life and it included what he has gone through for nearly two decades.