Convicted Rapist Released On Bail While Awaiting New Trial

A man who spent three decades in prison based in part on a single strand of hair has won release as he awaits a new trial in Massachusetts.

Judge Robert Kane ruled Wednesday that George Perrot can be freed while he awaits trial.

Perrot was convicted in 1985 of raping a 78-year-old woman in her Springfield home.

Last month, a judge granted Perrot a new trial after finding fault with an FBI agent's testimony that a hair found in the woman's home matched Perrot.

The U.S. Justice Department flagged Perrot's case in 2014 as one of hundreds that involved erroneous statements from FBI agents about hair analysis. Microscopic hair analysis has since been found to be far from precise.

Perrot was arrested at 17. He has denied raping the woman. (Associated Press)