July 29, 1984: Jennifer Thompson-Cannino’s
statement to Detective Mike Gauldin
July 29, 1984: News release containing the
composite sketch Thompson created
July 31, 1984: Anonymous tip from a caller stating that the
composite resembles Ronald Cotton
August 1, 1984: Cotton is arrested after going to the
Burlington Police Department to straighten things out
June 22, 1995: A fragment of a sperm head excludes
Ronald Cotton and implicates Bobby Poole
July 12, 1995: The State of North Carolina
issues a Pardon of Innocence
April 18, 1997: Just days after meeting Ron,
Jennifer writes a letter to the real rapist
(Sources from http://www.pickingcottonbook.com/casefile.html)
Picking Cotton 