Nation DNA put him behind bars for a 1997 rape. Then his old girlfriend saw a photo that set him free July 25, 2019 Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press Comments 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.