DNA said one thing; police and judge, another

It's become the last, best hope of people charged with a crime: a DNA test that proves police have the wrong guy.

Tell that to Antwon Watkins.

The 16-year-old South Philadelphia High School junior was found guilty of simple assault by a Philadelphia Family Court judge April 28 despite negative DNA results, alibi witnesses, school attendance records, and having no prior arrests.

It could have been worse. Watkins had been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.

Police alleged that Watkins was the young man in a red hooded sweatshirt who, two officers say, on Jan. 13 pointed a rifle at them and then fled, igniting a wild pursuit that ended with a police detective firing three shots and his partner crashing their unmarked car.

Family Court Judge Richard J. Gordon acquitted Watkins of aggravated assault but then found him guilty of simple assault.

"We were shocked," said Watkins' lawyer, Michael J. Diamondstein.

The evidence of Watkins' innocence, Diamondstein said, was "overwhelming."

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DNA said one thing; police and judge, another