2nd Man To Be Set Free In Beatrice Murder Case

A second man was released for the 1985 murder of a Beatrice woman. New DNA evidence raised questions about both mens involvement in the crime.

The evidence has cleared two men and Friday one was set free after spending 19 years behind bars.

“Just try and put my life together, that's what I need to do.” Those are the words of Thomas Winslow who has served the last 19 years in prison for the rape and murder of 68 year old Helen Wilson of Beatrice.

Winslow's co-defendant, Joseph White was released Wednesday after DNA evidence showed White and Winslow were not the killers. Friday morning, a Saline county judge re-sentenced Winslow to time he has already served, which releases him from prison.

And he said he's ready to move on and forget the past.

In a statement read by Winslow in front of the judge he said, “through DNA testing, I now know, and I hope the country and everyone else knows, neither myself nor Mr. White raped and killed Mrs. Wilson.

At the time of the crime, Winslow said he was scared when prosecutors told him they had evidence against him and he pled no contest, saying he didn't remember anything from that night.

Winslow's mother Mary has stood by her son always beleiving he was innocent from day one.

“I'm just happy it's done and i'm going to go get my son and bring him home,” she said.

Winslow's attorney said there were a lot of things done by the Beatrice Police Department that were quite exceptional for that time and it definatly helped the case.

And as for the Winslow, it is a happy day that was a long time coming.

The ruling makes White the first Nebraska inmate freed by DNA and Winslow the second in the state.

He told reporters today he just wants to get back to normal and forget his time spent behind bars.