Justice Restored: A Father's Long Wait for Freedom

Marshall Moreno's life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he was convicted of a crime he didn't commit. His daughter, then just a child, accused him of sexual assault. But years later, she came forward to say she had lied. This admission led to a long process that finally ended with the dismissal of all charges against Moreno.

The Truth Comes to Light

The daughter, now an adult, told the court she had made up the story to avoid trouble. She was living in a difficult situation at the time, moving between foster homes and dealing with a lot of chaos. Her therapist asked her about abuse, and she blamed her father to shift attention away from her own behavior.

Key Figures in the Case

Professor Charles Press from the Actual Innocence Clinic at UT-Austin played a big role in this case. He worked with the daughter to understand why she lied and why she decided to tell the truth now. He found her to be honest and brave. The court agreed, and Judge Brandy Mueller ruled that Moreno was innocent.

The District Attorney's Office also looked into the case. They talked to the daughter and reviewed all the evidence. They concluded that Moreno had been wrongfully convicted. On December 18, 2025, the charges were officially dismissed.

Moreno's Future

Moreno spent 24 years in prison. The District Attorney, José Garza, said that while they can't take back those years, they hope this decision helps Moreno move forward. Moreno is now 63 years old and in poor health. He is expected to be released soon.

Broader Implications

This case is part of a bigger effort by the Conviction Integrity Unit to review other cases where people might have been wrongfully convicted. They are also looking into the infamous yogurt shop murders case.

The daughter said she wants to live a guilt-free life now. She also hopes to rebuild her relationship with her father. This case shows how important it is to keep looking for the truth, even years after a conviction.