Robert Alan Bradshaw, who spent 8 months in jail charged with rape before he was cleared by DNA evidence, is photographed Friday, March 13, 2015, in a downtown Chattanooga parking lot. Bradshaw was released two weeks ago. (Staff Photo Illustration by Doug Strickland)Prosecutors on Monday dismissed charges against Robert Alan Bradshaw, a Chattanooga man charged with raping a woman while impersonating a U.S. Marine.
Bradshaw was arrested in July after a woman reported that he took her to his house, told her he was a U.S. Marine and threatened to kill her if she didn't follow his orders. He was charged with aggravated rape and assault.
But early Monday, the state received the results of a DNA test that excluded Bradshaw, Assistant District Attorney General Leslie Longshore said at a hearing.
"Essentially the lab report did have evidence on it, and it excludes Mr. Bradshaw, so we are asking to have this case dismissed," Longshore told Judge Rebecca Stern.
Stern dismissed the case, and Bradshaw's attorney, Brandy Spurgin, said she was pleased with how quickly prosecutors moved after new evidence came to light.
"Bringing it up early, under the circumstances, was the right thing to do," Spurgin said.
Bradshaw's arrest in Hamilton County led to a violation of his parole in Jerome County, Idaho. Spurgin said he will remain in jail until a parole officer can determine whether he'll be released.
Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwiseman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwiseman.