AKRON, Ohio -- Compelling new evidence has surfaced pertaining to the possible wrongful conviction of an Akron man, and now the state attorney general is asking for a temporary reprieve for the man, NewsChannel5 reported.

Clarence Elkins was convicted in 1999 of killing his mother-in-law and raping his 6-year-old niece.

Elkins has maintained his innocence over the past six years, and many attempts have been made to prove that he was wrongly convicted.

Now, his attorney says recent DNA testing points to another man in the crime.

A hearing is set for Feb. 22 to consider the new evidence, which could lead to his conviction being overturned.

The state attorney general has asked Gov. Bob Taft for a temporary reprieve for Elkins, which means he would be released immediately while awaiting the hearing.

The Summit County prosecutor's office is preparing a response to the attorney general's request.

Prosecutors have been very cautious about the case, saying the type of DNA testing used is not the kind of absolutely accurate evidence often heard about.