Nation DNA put him behind bars for a 1997 rape. Then his old girlfriend saw a photo that set him free July 24, 2019July 25, 2019Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free PressComments Off on DNA put him behind bars for a 1997 rape. Then his old girlfriend saw a photo that set him free James Clay had begun serving a 25 - 50 year prison sentence for rape based on DNA. He was released following a Free Press investigation into his case.