On May 11, 1990, almost eight years after Todd and Annette’s  bodies were  found, the  State of  Ohio reached its conclusion.

Dale  Nolan  Johnston  was  freed  after  Franklin County’s Court of Appeals  ruled that key evidence from his first trial could  not be used. The court held  that statements  made by  Johnston during  a 1982 Logan police  interrogation had been obtained under duress.

Because  this  evidence  was  disallowed,  Hocking County  Prosecutor  Charles  Gerken  said Johnston would not be re-tried.

Interviewed  by  Columbus  Dispatch  reporter  Don Baird,  Johnston  replied  to  Donald Schultz—who still believes in Dale’s guilt:

“I did nothing wrong.  The Lord knows it...That’s all that counts.”