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CNN Saturday Morning News

Man Cleared of Murder Was Jailed with Real Killer

Aired September 06, 2003 - 07:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In Maryland, Kirk Bloodsworth was released from prison 10 years ago for a murder he didn't commit. He's just now learning who authorities believe was the killer.
Kimberly Ruffner was charged with murder on Friday. He and Bloodsworth were friends in prison.

Lou Davis of CNN affiliate WMAR talked with Bloodsworth about this ironic twist.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIRK BLOODSWORTH, CLEARED OF MURDER: Because of this, I can breathe now. I can breathe. For the first time in 20 years, I can take a breath.

LOU DAVIS, REPORTER, WMAR-TV (voice-over): Kirk Bloodsworth and his wife, Brenda, couldn't be happier, told us that prosecutors and detectives from Baltimore County came out to Cambridge and told them that the same DNA evidence, the same process that cleared him 10 years ago, now points to another man.

BLOODSWORTH: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I'm a happy man.

DAVIS (on camera): Yes, you are. What was your reaction when you heard?

BLOODSWORTH: It's a relief, you know?

DAVIS (voice-over): Bloodsworth said he knew Ruffner in jail, shared a cell with him for a while, even lent him some books.

BLOODSWORTH: Much as publicity as my case got, he had to know. And he sat there, did nothing, zip. He needs to spend the rest of his life in jail for what he did to Dawn Hamilton (ph). Not just what he did for -- to me, but what he did to Dawn Hamilton. That's a gutless human being.

DAVIS: Bloodsworth has been married to his wife, Brenda, for three years now. They both hope this will clear any lasting doubts about his innocence.

BRENDA BLOODSWORTH, WIFE: It's going to change a whole lot of outlook on different people's opinions, I hope. If not, well, I don't know what to tell those people. BLOODSWORTH: They got him. They got him, my man. They got him.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Once again, that was Lou Davis of CNN affiliate WMAR reporting.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired September 6, 2003 - 07:22   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: In Maryland, Kirk Bloodsworth was released from prison 10 years ago for a murder he didn't commit. He's just now learning who authorities believe was the killer.
Kimberly Ruffner was charged with murder on Friday. He and Bloodsworth were friends in prison.

Lou Davis of CNN affiliate WMAR talked with Bloodsworth about this ironic twist.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIRK BLOODSWORTH, CLEARED OF MURDER: Because of this, I can breathe now. I can breathe. For the first time in 20 years, I can take a breath.

LOU DAVIS, REPORTER, WMAR-TV (voice-over): Kirk Bloodsworth and his wife, Brenda, couldn't be happier, told us that prosecutors and detectives from Baltimore County came out to Cambridge and told them that the same DNA evidence, the same process that cleared him 10 years ago, now points to another man.

BLOODSWORTH: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I'm a happy man.

DAVIS (on camera): Yes, you are. What was your reaction when you heard?

BLOODSWORTH: It's a relief, you know?

DAVIS (voice-over): Bloodsworth said he knew Ruffner in jail, shared a cell with him for a while, even lent him some books.

BLOODSWORTH: Much as publicity as my case got, he had to know. And he sat there, did nothing, zip. He needs to spend the rest of his life in jail for what he did to Dawn Hamilton (ph). Not just what he did for -- to me, but what he did to Dawn Hamilton. That's a gutless human being.

DAVIS: Bloodsworth has been married to his wife, Brenda, for three years now. They both hope this will clear any lasting doubts about his innocence.

BRENDA BLOODSWORTH, WIFE: It's going to change a whole lot of outlook on different people's opinions, I hope. If not, well, I don't know what to tell those people. BLOODSWORTH: They got him. They got him, my man. They got him.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COLLINS: Once again, that was Lou Davis of CNN affiliate WMAR reporting.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com