Masters Asks Lawmakers For DNA Evidence

DENVER (AP) - A state House Judiciary Committee meeting on Wednesday reunited Tom Turner with Timothy Masters, the man Turner and 11 other jurors convicted of first-degree murder and sent to prison for life.

Outside the hearing room, Turner caught up with Masters and apologized for the conviction, which was overturned Jan. 22. Masters became the first person in Colorado released because of DNA evidence.

"I told him, `I'm sorry."' Turner said.

The first meeting between Masters and Turner ended when Masters told him simply: "We'll talk later."

Both were at the Capitol to testify before lawmakers considering requiring law enforcement agencies to preserve DNA evidence.

Outside another hearing, Masters said he had forgiven the jurors, prosecutors and police who played a role in his 9 1/2 years of incarceration for the 1987 slaying of Peggy Hettrick in Fort Collins.
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