Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Anthony Caravella

First Name Anthony
Last NameCaravella
Year of Conviction1984
Year of Exoneration2010
State of ConvictionFlorida
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeRape and Murder
Death SentenceNo
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeWhite
JuvenileYes
Mentally Ill or Intellectually DisabledIntellectually Disabled
Did the defendant testify at trial?No
Types of evidence at trial
  • Confession
  • Forensic Evidence
Were non-public facts alleged?Yes
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • Hair
  • Serology
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • Invalid
Reason why invalid(1) Masking
Brief Quote / Description of Testimony

Hairs from clothing of victim excluded the defendant. Serologist observed only antigens consistent with the type of the victim. However, the analyst then testified that persons with B or AB types inconsistent with the victim’s type could be excluded "to a degree," amounting to "around ten percent of the population."

Examples of Non-Public or Corroborated Facts and Inconsistencies

● Victim had an English accent ● Victim hit over the head with a chair, strangled with wire, stabbed with a steak knife, and raped ● Victim’s clothes partially pulled off, with her bra pulled up above breasts. BUT ● Said hit victim over head with Pepsi bottle when she was raped, strangled, and stabbed ● Called victim a “girl.” but she was 58 yrs. old. ● Initial statement did not mention victim fighting back or chair and was incorrect on timing ● Each of the statements varied in its details and interviews supplied defendant with photos of evidence and the crime scene, as well as asking leading questions that supplied key details

Quotes from law enforcement testimony

During recording questioning, law enforcement asked, "Did you ever find out any of the details about this homicide from anyone at all?," and defendant answered, "No." An officer noted that "I saw there were certain discrepancies" in one of the statements, "but I also knew that there were some things that were accurate."

Quotes from prosecution arguments

Not transcribed.

Interrogation RecordedFour statements were recorded, one statement was not
Highest level reachedNR
Citations to judicial opinions

Caravella v. State, 485 So.2d 833 (Fla.App. 4 Dist., March 26, 1986)

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