AKRON, Ohio -- A new trial is under way in Summit County for a man who's currently serving life in prison for raping and killing his mother-in-law.

A judge granted Clarence Elkins, 41, of Magnolia, a new hearing last year after new DNA evidence apparently showed another man's DNA on the victim's body, NewsChannel5 reported.

Elkins was convicted of strangling, raping and murdering Judith Johnson, 58, in June 1998 in her Barberton home.

Elkins was sentenced in June 1999. His wife, Melinda, has stood by his side and fought for his release.

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Elkins Case

Prosecutors had no physical evidence linking Elkins to the crime. Elkins' 6-year-old niece, who was beaten and raped by the attacker, testified that it was her uncle.

Elkins' wife and others believed the attacker was a Barberton man who resembles Elkins and was once spurned by Johnson.

The niece eventually recanted her testimony, but the judge who presided over the Elkins trial ruled in December 2002 that the recantation lacked credibility and that the girl was pressured.

Elkins' family took the case to the public. They created a Web site and sought publicity, leading to an episode on "American Justice." People across the country donated money for new DNA tests.

The innocence project, which works to clear people who've been wrongly convicted, helped find a lab for Elkins' DNA testing.