Charge dismissed against Ohioan once on death row

CLEVELAND (AP) — A man who spent more than 21 years on death row is free after a judge dismissed the murder charge against him in a 1988 stabbing death in Cleveland.

A Cuyahoga County judge today dismissed the charge of aggravated murder against 62-year-old Michael Keenan after determining evidence that could have exonerated him was withheld from his trial attorneys.

Keenan was convicted twice of killing Tony Klann in a Cleveland park. Keenan’s attorney says a Catholic priest who befriended Keenan’s co-defendant helped uncover evidence favorable to both men.

A federal judge in April had ruled that Keenan must be retried or the verdict set side.

Co-defendant Joseph D’Ambrosio was freed in 2010 by a judge who determined evidence that could have exonerated D’Ambrosio was withheld from his trial attorneys.