top of page

Paul House

  • sbutlersmith
  • Feb 16
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 5


Exoneree Name

State: Tennessee

Convicted: 1986

Exonerated: 2009

Race: Caucasian

DNA used in exoneration? Yes

Reasons for wrongful conviction:

False or misleading forensic evidence





Paul's Wrongful Conviction

Paul House served over 22 years on death row in Tennessee before DNA evidence of his innocence – and the intervention of the U.S. Supreme Court – led to his release.

Paul House had recently moved back to his mother’s house in Tennessee when Carolyn Muncey disappeared from her home on July 13, 1985. Her body was found a day later, badly beaten and raped.

Paul was questioned by police, since he knew Muncey’s husband, but he denied any involvement in the crime, claiming he was in his own house several miles away the evening of the murder. But prosecutors found a hole in his alibi, discovering that he had left his home the night of the murder and returned about an hour later with unexplained cuts and bruises.

Forensic evidence found Muncey's blood type on Paul’s jeans, but serious questions were later raised whether the samples were contaminated en route to an FBI lab for analysis. Nevertheless, Paul was sent to death row in February 1986. While in prison, he developed multiple sclerosis and was given aspirin to treat it.

His case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005. On June 12, 2006, the court ruled that any "reasonable juror" would probably not have convicted had they been aware of the new evidence in his favor, and sent his case back to the district court in Tennessee for a full review.

Subsequent state-of-the art DNA testing conducted after the conviction showed that semen on the victim belonged to her husband, not Paul. Blood under her fingernails and cigarette butts discovered near the wooded crime scene also did not match him. In light of the DNA test results and other evidence, prosecutors dropped all charges against Paul House on May 12, 2009.

Paul's Work Today

Today Paul lives with his mother, Joyce, and while permanently confined to a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis, enjoys the outdoors and attending Witness to Innocence gatherings of exonerees and their loved ones.

In The Media:

15 Comments


All Pet Lovers
All Pet Lovers
2 days ago

This is such a heartbreaking yet powerful story. Paul House’s resilience is truly inspiring, and it’s a stark reminder of why justice reform is so crucial. Stories like his show how easily lives can be derailed. I'm glad he's now able to enjoy the outdoors again—something even our furry friends at All Pet Lovers Store would appreciate!

Like

john smit
john smit
2 days ago

Paul House’s story is truly emotional and a reminder of how important truth and evidence are in every case. Stories like his often come up in conversations at my African Grocery Store in Tennessee, where people care deeply about justice and fairness. It’s encouraging to see more awareness growing around these important issues in our communities.

Edited
Like

harry chen
harry chen
5 days ago

Experience Merge Fellas: https://www.mergefellas.pro, an addictive merging game where you combine identical characters to create more powerful ones. Discover the unique merging mechanics of Merge Fellas and enjoy endless fun!

Like

harry chen
harry chen
May 11

Addicted to quirky clicker games? This one’s a perfect brain rot fix-simple, fun, and surprisingly deep. Give it a try and see how far you can go! [ <a href="https://www.brainrotclicker.pro" title="Brainrot Clicker"> Brainrot Clicker</a>]

Like

harry chen
harry chen
May 11

‌If you enjoy puzzle games that actually challenge you, Merge Fellas is a must-try! Fresh merging gameplay with escalating difficulty. No boredom here! 💡 [<a href="https://www.mergefellas.pro" title="Merge Fellas"> Merge Fellas</a>]

Like
bottom of page