Appeals court upholds conviction cleared with DNA evidence

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court says a man convicted of sexual assault was properly granted a new trial based on newly discovered DNA evidence.

In 1995, Daniel Scheidell of Racine County was convicted of attempted first-degree sexual assault and armed burglary of his neighbor. Almost two decades later, the Wisconsin Innocence Project got him a new trial based on DNA evidence from the sexual assault kit that belonged to a Racine man serving time for a similar crime that occurred a few years later. A circuit court cleared Scheidell’s conviction.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the circuit court properly exercised its discretion in granting another trial.

Scheidell’s attorney, Steven Hughes, says he is pleased Scheidell will get a new trial after years of maintaining his innocence.