Wrongfully convicted Steven Barnes speaks with criminal justice students

Story Created: Apr 23, 2009 at 4:19 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Students in the criminal justice program at Utica College saw a whole new side of the justice system on Thursday.

As most of you already know, Steven Barnes was released from prison last year, after The Innocence Project proved he was wrongfully convicted of raping and killing Kimberly Simon more than 20 years ago.

On Thursday, Barnes had a chance to share his story with students.

"I'm overwhelmed," Barnes said. "It's just that it took all the years for DNA to get that advanced now. I wish it was advanced back then. I would have never served a day in jail."

Barnes would also like law enforcement officials to hear his message so they can see, according to Barnes, flaws in the justice system.
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