On October 7, 2008, police in Houston, Texas arrested 45-year-old Queen Esther Jordan on a charge of possession of a controlled substance after a field test on a white powder they seized was positive for the presence of cocaine.
The following day, Jordan, who had numerous convictions for drug possession and prostitution, accepted a plea bargain from the Harris County District Attorney and pled guilty. She was sentenced to six months in jail.
In November 2008, the Houston Police Crime Laboratory tested the substance police seized and it was negative for the presence of any controlled substance. The Harris County District Attorney's Office notified Jordan's defense attorney and supported a state petition for a writ of habeas corpus. A week later, Jordan was released from jail.
In February 2009, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted the writ and vacated the conviction. The prosecution then dismissed the charge.
- Maurice Possley
Posting Date: 04-26-2014
Case Details:
State:
Texas
County:
Harris
Most Serious Crime:
Drug Possession or Sale
Reported Crime Date:
2008
Convicted:
2008
Exonerated:
2009
Sentence:
Term of Years
Race / Ethnicity:
Black
Sex:
Female
Age at the date of reported crime:
45
Contributing Factors:
False or Misleading Forensic Evidence
Did DNA evidence contribute to the exoneration?:
No