Jan 19, 2008 5:41 pm US/Mountain
Masters' Family Thrilled About Expected Release
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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Timothy Masters (file)
CBS
Relatives of the man who has spent 8 years in prison for the murder of a woman in Fort Collins two decades ago were celebrating this weekend after learning he could be set free in a few days.
A special prosecutor announced Friday that he would ask a judge Tuesday morning for the conviction of Tim Masters to be vacated and a new trial ordered. Masters could be ordered released at that time.
Investigators said new DNA evidence tested by Masters' defense team and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation points to a different suspect.
Masters, now 35, was convicted in 1999 for killing Peggy Hettrick, 37, when he was a 15-year-old teenager living in Fort Collins. Although the murder happened in 1987, Masters wasn't arrested until about a decade later.
He was convicted on circumstantial evidence and expert psychological testimony about drawings he made which the prosecutors said were depictions of the murder. No physical evidence ever linked him to the crime.
The two prosecutors on the original case are now district court judges in Larimer County and were expected to testify this week during hearings about whether Masters should get a new trial.
Masters has had a group of relatives at every one of those hearings over the past few months.
As a result of those hearings and the special prosecutor's new investigation, authorities have already admitted the original prosecutors and investigators failed to turn over key evidence to Masters' defense team during the trial as required by standard court procedure.
That evidence included key facts and expert testimony that could have prevented Masters from being convicted in 1999.
Saturday, his family was ecstatic and stunned by the quick turn of events.
"We had still a little doubt even though it was all over the place," said Tim Masters uncle, John.
Masters' family said they want the court hearings to continue so they can learn more about why police and prosecutors focused so much of their investigation on the young man despite the lack of physical evidence.
More importantly, they are looking forward to seeing Masters walk out of court on Tuesday.
"We know it's going to be a good day," said Betty Schneider, one of his aunts. "We know that Tim is going to walk out of there in civilian clothes for a change. We know we're going to see him in something other than orange and green. It's just going to be a good day, period."
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