Timeline to freedom
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 11, 2007 2:07 PM
Sept. 4. 1987 -- A 12-year-old girl told police that a man climbed into her bedroom window in Jefferson Park and raped her.
May 9, 1988 -- A Wayne County Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against Dail on charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree sex offense, first-degree rape and taking indecent liberties with a minor. This is the day he was formally charged with the crimes.
March 20, 1989 -- A Wayne County jury found Dail guilty on charges of first-degree burglary, first-degree sex offense, first-degree rape and taking indecent liberties with a minor. He was sentenced to serve the rest of his life in prison for the crimes.
March 30, 1989 -- Dail filed a notice to appeal.
May 9, 1990 -- Dail's appeal was heard in the Wayne County Court of Appeals and was denied.
Aug. 27, 2007 -- Wayne County District Attorney Branny Vickory received verbal confirmation that semen found on the victim's nightgown excluded Dail as the perpetrator in the case.
Aug. 28, 2007 -- Vickory asked Superior Court Judge Jack Hooks to dismiss the charges against Dail and release him from the Nash County Correctional Institute in Nashville.