3-Feb-2024

TrueAllele exoneree Darryl Pinkins passes away

Darryl Pinkins passed away on February 3rd. He was the first TrueAllele® exoneree, freed from prison after 24 years of wrongful conviction and incarceration. TrueAllele reanalyzed old DNA data to find new evidence of five true perpetrators, clearing Darryl and his co-defendants.

Darryl’s story has been told on television and in magazines. Cybergenetics’ Chief Scientist Dr. Mark Perlin has given short and long talks explaining the exculpatory DNA evidence. Many news articles and documents have been published.

Dr. Perlin’s eulogy was read at Darryl’s funeral service in Gary, Indiana, as follows:

Darryl Pinkins was a strong man in a weak world. He was caring and honest, with a lively wit that made you laugh loud and think long. It was my honor and pleasure to know Darryl, and enjoy spending time with him.

Darryl was caught in a thoughtless government web that ignored truth. He paid a heavy price for their apathy and deceit. Cybergenetics and I had the rare privilege to help, to bring the light of science into the heart of justice. That DNA truth helped set Darryl free.

But Darryl did more for me than I for him. He taught me how by deeply caring for one man’s freedom, and relentlessly pursuing truth regardless of consequences, we can reap the greatest rewards. I always think of Darryl, and I miss him deeply. God bless.