Scott Minton hung his head and cried Thursday morning just as he did on a Thursday in 1994 when he was found guilty of heinous crimes, but this time it was because he is finally a free man.
Minton was sentenced to 66 years on five counts of aggravated rape, burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, theft and conspiracy for allegedly torturing a 49-year-old Bradley County woman.
“The 21-year-old Rhea County man hung his head and cried as the decision of the criminal court jury was announced,” according to an April 1, 1994, Chattanooga Free Press article. “In earlier testimony, the rape victim had said while Minton was burning and raping her, he had an ‘evil smile on his face’ while tears were streaming from his eyes.”
After serving over 30 years behind bars, all of those charges were dismissed Thursday in Hamilton County Criminal Court.
Minton, who is now 52, threw his fists up in the air, let out a shout of apparent relief, thanked God and walked out.