UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Marcy man convicted of raping and murdering a Whitesboro High School junior in 1985, is expected to appear in Oneida County Court on Tuesday, and The Innocence Project says they expect Barnes to be freed that day.

According to the not for profit group called The Innocence Project, an organization designed to free innocent people, they, along with Steven Barnes, whom they are representing will ask to have his conviction vacated based on new DNA evidence.

They had originally hoped it would happen today.

Barnes has now served 20 years in state prison after being convicted by a jury of raping and murdering 16-year-old Kimberly Simon, also of Marcy.

The Innocence Project has been working with Barnes for several years to try to exonerate him based on new DNA testing.

The Innocence Project and the Oneida County District Attorney's office say they will be releasing a joint statement on the case on Tuesday after the court proceedings.

According to the Innocence Project, the hearing will take place Tuesday morning at 9:30.